ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I visited my cousin in the nursing home yesterday and we got talking about the past (as you do) and he told me this little story. It was crying out to be put into verse, and as it's his birthday next Wednesday I thought I would make it a Happy Birthday poem.

Cousin Kevin
Leonie Parker © 2010

Cousin Kevin’s reached the grand old age of eighty-four
and though he’s not as sprightly as he used to be before
there’s still a hint of mischief in the twinkle of his eye
and he’s still got that cheeky grin that always got him by.

Here’s a little story Cousin Kevin told to me
about the day Aunt Hilda had the vicar round for tea.
He tried converting Kevin, but he should have saved his breath
‘cause Cousin Kev was raised by nuns. It’s all been done to death.

“Son, do you love Jesus?” were the first words that he spoke,
and Kevin said “I’m sorry mate, I never met the bloke.”
He told him “Jesus died for you! It’s written in this book”
and Kevin said “I didn’t even know that he was crook.”

That little story made me laugh and in my mind I swear
I heard Aunt Hilda laughing too from somewhere deep in there.
Happy Birthday Kevin and I thank you for the smile
I always seem to wear whenever we chat for a while.

...........

PS .. for those of you who have read the Toolangi anthology already, Cousin Kevin is the Brumby Man.

Had a good giggle Leonie and happy Birthday to Uncle - reminded me of a line (different religion) from those who come knocking on the door - " I am a witness for Jehovah" ---"Oh really - what did he do?"

Cheers

Maureen

Nice one Leonie...Love the humour.

Trisha

A great story Leonie and told well. A lovely birthday gift for your cousin. He sounds like a character.

Heather

Maureen .. I've inadvertently become rather friendly with a couple of the 'witnessess' who regularly knock on my door. Still not quite sure how that happened. Might have to enlist Kevin's help.

Trisha .. the humour in this case was all Kevin's. I can't claim it, only poke it into rhyme.

Heather .. He's a character all right, has been all his life. It's sad he's ended up in a nursing home but he was at his best on Friday, he has good days and bad days. Friday was a goodun.

Ah Leonie you’ve done it again, I’ve just jumped up from the page "We Will Remember Them." I can only read that page a bit at a time cos me eyes all fill up and I can’t see. So coming here was just the tonic I needed thanks you do it well.

TTFN

Aawww, does we write too sad for ya Dave? Ya big ol' softie! You can always depend on Leonie for a good giggle.

Heather

G/day Leonie,
Now that's a great yarn to brighten the morning, well it's still morning is over here.
I really enjoyed reading that.

Cheers Terry

Must say I enjoyed this too, brought a smile to my dial.

Thanks fellas, I think Kevin will get a kick out of hearing that he made all of you smile.