ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I saw some sheila talking about how 'time poor' we are these days because everything and everyone is moving so quickly, I dug this out of my archives.


“WHEN THINGS WERE MOVING SLOW.”

© Ross Magnay 21/4/03

I think about the old days, when wind produced our light,
when wood warmed up our water, and cooked our tea at night.
When cars were good for sixty or seventy at a push,
but roads were good for forty where we lived in the bush.

It was good when working hours were dictated by the sun,
no ticking clock to tell you, it’s now four twenty one.
When tucker was all basic none of this is good that’s not!
But best of all, ‘least once a day your meal was dished up hot.

Our water came from off the roof via the water tank,
and money wasn’t plastic; and we kept it in the bank.
We never cursed at any lady (or in front of her in fact)
and respect for older people came as instinct not an act.

You always helped your neighbour, or the fellow down the track,
and that’s because you wanted to, and asked for nothing back.
When everybody did some work whatever job or pay,
for those who did no work at all were bludgers anyway.

But now we move so quickly, the efforts not the same,
machines do all the labour while we work with our brain.
Now they reckon we’ve advanced a lot well maybe that is so,
but stress was much less prominent when things were moving slow!

Aaah, the good 'ol days hey Ross. There is a romantic notion about the past that is probably misguided. I am kinda glad I don't have to trudge to the well for water and don't have to spend all day Monday doing the washing. Along with the labour saving devices comes more leisure time - if we choose to have it.

Heather

Really liked these sentiments, Ross. We certainly have things easier now, as Heather says, but the world in general is poorer in both time and manners. Sad, but true.

Cheers, Shelley

G/day Ross
Yes I remember all those things plus a few more.

We used to have gutter arrangement at the back of our old prospecting van, you might be surprised just how much water we'd catch if we got a reasonable downpour.

Enjoyed your poem as usual Ross.

Cheers Terry

Never hurts to take a look back in time and see what we have lost as well as what we have gained. I agree with Heather and Shelley in that going back to some of the labour intensive and time long chores wouldn't be desirable but the simpler side of things I really miss that's for sure. I really enjoyed reading the poem Ross. Nicely done.

Instead of ride on mowers that we use to mow the lawn
I'd rather plough the fields by hand and work till dusk from dawn
There's no nostalgic romance in a bobcat or a backhoe
just feed me bully beef and give me nigger-twist tobacco.

Yeah stuff that fancy Asian food; exotic taste infusions,
when johnny cakes and powdered milk build stronger constitutions.
just salted meat and cold black tea - our body's didn't stress,
it's these new-fangled food groups that are making us a mess.

And emails and computers - that technology's a scam,
I'd rather ride a donkey miles to send a telegram.
And don't you get me started on how good were them old cars,
this air-conditioned cruise control's a big pain in the arse.

The good old days part Heather, is that I was a lot younger and fitter then...

Yeah Shelley, somethings are better some things not!

I'm sure an old bloke like you Terry, who lived in the bush would certainly remember all of that!....

The funny thing about it Maureen is that if we choose to we can still go back to much of that, I for one still like to live by similar morals and manners as we did back then, but I am happy to leave a lot of the other stuff in the past.

Ah Marty, always the clown... my Mum always used to say , 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'...

I certainly agree with these sentiments Ross, and you've put it together very nicely indeed. We have so much these days. and yet in many simple pleasures, manners and other important ways have also lost so much - sad but true. I really enjoyed your poem.

I loved it Ross

For mine, it seems that children were never bored in the good old days, and I was always out an about, or at a mate's place, when mom was ready to dish out that hot meal.

Enter technology, and children now seem bored and lethargic, and complain of nothing to do if there is not a device of some contraption in their hand.

I think we lost far more than we gained.

The poem is great.

Thanks Catherine, Matt and Allan, I will re-post the poem you refer to Matt, Thanks.