ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Didn't know whether I'd get this finished in time, but got it done ok.

From a Chance Meeting.
©Ron Boughton 28/10/21

With sweet virtue and innocence, she’d met him at The Show
Where coming from the bush with all his humble ways in tow
They had been pushed together, by crowds, moving with the tide
In waves of humanity, hundreds deep and just as wide!
But many years had now passed and they’d long been man and wife
And far from teeming throngs, she had embraced the country life,
With all her past and history in the albums on the shelf
She’d learnt that in the country, there was more to life than self!

For isolation, could at times, well test a city bride
But neighbours all, for good of all, could swallow bitter pride,
To help in times of trouble, and would come from miles away
As their turn next it well may be for fortune to waylay!
The rule; One good turn deserves another, she soon realized,
Was one of many on the land not to be compromised,
Like dust plumes, looming on the drive was conclusion foregone,
That somebody is coming, so the kettle must go on!

In reminiscent mood, she’d been reflecting on such things,
And grateful thoughts for her young family tugged at her heart-strings,
For words like ‘bless me father’ she hadn’t used since childhood days
Though it was often that she felt, so blessed in many ways!
As when he had first brought her, to their homestead on the farm
She had been overwhelmed, but also felt a sense of calm,
Because, the road in, opened up what seemed an isle of hope,
So was then she’d resolved, with all adversity to cope!

And was together they had battled, against many odds
Like insect plagues in the crops, and always the weather gods!
That once brought a bushfire on a severe Nor’wester blown
With noise like massed choirs in rambunctious guttural tone!
And also fickle markets that could deal devastating blows,
But strong resolve and their love, beat what hard times could impose!
And comforting her reasoning that she had done her best
She’d read with love, ‘The Drovers Wife’ and …‘The Women of the West’!

We have a lot to be thankful for, thanks to those brave people who did the hard yards in the early days.
And you have to especially admire the women, in many ways the backbone of those scattered communities.
Yet today there is a tendency to try and forget those days and rewrite history.
But fortunately there's still a few of us who have long memories.

Good story Ron

Cheers

Terry

Thanks Terry, yes the women certainly deserve much of the credit. In particular in the early years, where they worked like men and did all the domestic duties as well. Henry has some great quotes in reference to that.
And we must keep those memories alive mate.
Cheers
Ron

Love this, Ron - it is both a delightful poem and a wonderful tribute to pioneering women that must, as you rightly say, be kept alive as they were truly amazing! You have woven the prompts in brilliantly here and added some lines that are poignant and true.

Thanks so much Catherine, pleased that you enjoyed it. Yes it was amazing what the women accomplished in support of their menfolk in those early days!
Cheers
Ron.

Oh, well done, Ron!

What a great use of the prompts to outline the challenges faced by our pioneering women, uplifting in their example of courage and tenacity.

Love the "dust plumes"!

Cheers
Shelley

Thanks so much Shelley, much appreciated.
(Always love the challenge of the prompts.)

Cheers
Ron

Oh well done - and that took me back to my own time on the land where dust plumes did indeed mean the kettle went onto the stove and the cake tins came out. You made really good use of the prompts with this one Ron and I enjoyed the read. I think you have captured the stoicism and heart of country women well in this piece ... CWA worthy material Well done

Thanks so much Maureen, pleased that you enjoyed it. CWA, now that sounds like the chance of a nice sponge cake!!
I always think of one of Henry's lines; "Strange one woman's arms are able, all those rough bush tasks to do!''

Cheers
Ron