ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Deleted for comp.

G'day Dave,

It may well have been a blow at the time but better be labelled unfit than be sent to Vietnam. All the Vets (except for one, who is a well known poet) I know, our age, are really stuffed up from that theatre of war. It would be a little different if it had been a world war. But Like the current war, it is not always clear to us, just what our men are fighting for.

Regarding the more technical aspects of the poem you have wandered just a little with your rhymes. Just for one example in st.3 you are using assonance not rhyme. Your story line, as I have come to expect, is well told. You certainly have the 'yarn spinner' in your blood. While I may not always reply, be assured, I read every post.

Have I ever mentioned that someone, and I have never found out who, filled in and sent to the board, a registration form for National Service in my name. When I received a letter stating that they would advise me when to report for my medical I didn't know what to do. I guess my name is not obviously gender specific. I cleared it up with a phone call and never heard any more about it.

Thank you Zondrae I can see that now.

I was looking forward to 'signing up' as family members were all in the services plus some mates were signing up as well, but that was then & I so respect anyone who has & is still serving.

Thanks again for your comments Zondrae, always welcomed.

You pay them all great honour in your writing Dave - be happy with that, and proud that you can spread the word and touch so many peoples hearts as you do.. This perhaps was your purpose in life - your raison d'etre - maybe not clear to you but exactly what was required of you.

Life throws curved balls all the time, we usually manage to catch them - and this is a great poem

Cheers

Maureen

Thank you Maureen, soon as I get some time I'll work on the stanza Zongrae mentioned.

It seems a strange paradox at times Dave, that one has to be of perfect health in order to go and get killed.

Thanks Neville, it does, dosen't it.

G/day David,
I was one of those who just missed out, luck or bad luck I've never been sure which. or born at the right or wrong time or something.

Good one mate - Terry

further to my brush with National Service Board - related above,

My husband, who is one year younger then I am, had the bad luck of having his birth date drawn out. However, as the law stood, married men were exempt for National Service. He was still 19 when we were married so he registered as soon as he was eligible and sent a copt of our marriage certificate with the registration form. No worries.

It's a strange world.....when I did my medical for Nasho there was a bloke with me who had a scar right around the lower part of his forearm. Seems he was in an accident and got his lower arm almost severed. The doctors managed to re-attach the lower arm and it recovered usage but it was less than perfect, you might say.

Guess what?

They passed him fit!

When we got to Singleton the army medicos gave him his farewell papers fairly smartly.

That was a good joke played on Zondrae...ha ha ha

Mal