ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Today I mourn the passing of Kel. He has shared my life for 43 years and my sons for around 16 years. No matter where I have travelled he was always there. Always with a cold beer ready and waiting or a glass of wine. Never once did he ask for hand outs, his habits were impeccable - he had the odd grumble admittedly but he had worn really well over the years. Didn't look his age at all in fact he could hold his own with the best of them, He struggled a bit with the hotter days I confess, but he was game.



A TRIBUTE TO KEL – AN INGLORIOUS END

I’ve shared you with a husband, lovers, family and friends
and they have left, but you have been with me right to the end.
I left for just an hour or two I never could have guessed
I’d return as your heart at last stopped beating in your chest.

They’re taking you on Wednesday I won’t see your face no more.
Won’t hear you in the kitchen when I walk in through the door.
Replacing you is not easy – there’s none can fill your space
and I am devastated to lose your pale much loved face.

You’ve held the family photos in a place close to your heart.
You’ve chilled with me on summer nights we’ve never been apart.
You travelled country roads with me from Sydney to the top
and even came sheep farming. How would we know that would stop?

Together we have shared dark nights and borne the winters cold,
we’ve struggled through hot summer days, both of us getting old.
But now your heart has given out and you won’t work no more
and so another takes your place and soon will grace my floor.

Oh Kelvin, dearest Kelvin – it has been forty three years.
You’ve outlasted the best of them and for you I shed tears.
Young Sam is coming over soon – I’d best clear him some space
but in our memories you’ll remain, your dignity and grace.

Were I to write a eulogy in it I’d surely say
you were the one who never cost me money every day.
You never were high maintenance, you never cost me dear,
you always gave your very best , and always served cold beer.

I doubt young Sam will fill your shoes though he claims to be smart.
He has an energy that’s low – 3 star tatts o’er his heart.
You’ll never be forgotten Kel – you were an entity.
Rest in piece heavy metal friend here in Ipswich city.

Maureen Clifford © 06/13
The Scribbly Bark Poet


I'm going to miss him. The new Samsung Fridge will be here on Wednesday.

Kelvin was really a mongrel Mausie, he a-doored Sarah Lee, then Kelvin ate her!!!!

Loves it Maureen.

My deepest sympathies Maureen. A true friend gone to where old refrigerators go.
Love the poem and the sentiments. Where would we be without our fridges?
Hard to imagine living in Australia without a good fridge these days, but many of our forebears did.
I am old enough to remember my parents buying their first fridge, it was a President, which they bought at the Royal Eater Show in Sydney, to replace our faithful old ice chest.
What a momentous step it was for them. I think we were one of the first families in our street to have a fridge and wonder of wonders it made ice blocks. Even came with an ice block recipe book!
However, my favourite fridge of all time was the one we "acquired" in Vietnam which when laid on its back and filled with ice became the giant esky for the Airman's Bar in Vung Tau. That was a great fridge that gave wonderful service to a lot of thirsty men!

Good one Maureen. Many can empathise.

Cheers, Jeff

My parents still have a working fridge that was given to them for a wedding gift (second hand), 53 years ago. I think it's name is Kel, too, Maureen.

We had the old Kel round top for years and it never missed a beat just got to small as the family grew and got relegated to a beer fridge for the remainder of its use . Was sold on to a young couple after that so for all we know could still be out there.


Good one Mausie

Bob

At least you weren't present to see it in its last throes Maureen. Now that would be sad. (and obviously painful)
Throes: A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. Oh the perks of being male.
Wazza

Shakespeare on Kel

The Kel has come full circle.

Kel has given you one face and you make yourself another.

Kel is empty and all the devils are here.

To thine own Kel be true.

The course of true Kel never did run smooth.

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their Kels.

This above all; to thine own Kel be true.

The empty Kel makes the loudest sound.

The Kel doth protest too much, me thinks.

Sam and I are getting on fine even though he is not what he claimed to be (sigh) and I trustingly took him at face value as I do most things. He doesn't have the manly attributes that old Kel had but he has others. I find him colder but he does light up when he sees me come through the door. Something sadly old Kel stopped doing many years ago. Sam is a bit quieter as well, doesn't grumble anywhere near as much so I guess that's a good thing. We should rub along well enough