ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Ned and the Therapist

“Good morning, Ned.” “Good morning, miss.” “I think you understand
The reason why this meeting between you and me was planned.
The principal is worried; indeed, as we all are.
We think you have the qualities to make you quite a star.

“But lately, you look troubled, Ned. You’re angry and you’re sad.
We know the situation on the home front’s pretty bad.
We know you’ve lost your father, and you worry for your mum,
But if you hasten down this path, we’re scared for what’s to come.

“We know you love your family. We know you’d give your arm
To keep your little brothers and your sisters safe from harm.
We also know your mother’s had her problems with the law.
Your uncles have their troubles, too. We fear for what’s in store.

“Of course you’d never turn your back upon your family,
And I would never ask that, but I implore you…can’t you see?
You’re heading into trouble if you hold your current course.
You’ll turn the world against you. It will round on you with force.

“A little bit of distance, Ned. That’s not too much to ask?
Don’t feel that you must follow them in every deed and task.
Use your head a little more. You’ve got a mighty heart,
But I’m sure it blinds you sometimes as you play your loyal part.

“You cannot save your mother and your uncles from their fate,
But you still can save yourself, Ned, for it is not yet too late.
You could be quite a leader. It would be a dreadful waste
To misdirect your talents. Don’t dismiss my words in haste.”

Ned Kelly took a long, deep breath. His flashing eyes revealed
What through iron strength of will his face and heavy limbs concealed.
“You speak of loyalty. I think you understand that word,
But to suggest I cross my family is quite absurd.

“They nurture me. They nourish me. I know no other way.
They’ll give my life its meaning till I’m old and worn and grey.
But if life takes another course, the fault will not be mine.
I’m staunch. Yes, I am loyal. I will always hold the line."

The therapist looked thoughtfully and sadly at the floor.
“I feared you would say as much. You’re solid to the core.
Betrayal’s not the answer, just a little common sense.”
Ned Kelly shifted in his seat. The atmosphere was tense.

“Is that all miss? Can I go now?” The woman nodded, ‘yes’.
He quickly left the room. She muttered softly, “What a mess.
I know he’s bound for trouble. It is plain for all to see.”
She shuffled softly to the door. The rest is history…

© Stephen Whiteside 18.09.2016

Oh, wow, Stephen - what an original idea! I just love "history with a twist" poems!!

The fact is - this is so much more than a "poetic licence" assumption of an event that, if it occurred, had the potential to change one man's life (and the course of Aussie history). This is a situation still encountered so many times by our educators, counsellors and therapists today.

The line

But if life takes another course, the fault will not be mine.

is especially telling. Love for and loyalty to family (and friends) is ingrained in us, but personal choices are still our own, and making a decision not to follow the misguided path of others does not lessen our love for them. And we are all still ultimately responsible for our own actions - despite upbringing or environment or what other people do.

I have friends who are involved in working with troubled young people, and I know they would echo these sentiments over and over. I hope this poem is headed for the school magazine!

Cheers
Shelley

Thanks, Shelley.

Needless to say, there were no school counsellors in Ned's day, and Ned didn't attend secondary school anyway... Still, I thought it was worth exploring.

School Magazine cuts out at the end of primary school, and I suspect this poem is a bit beyond Yr 6 level.

Yes, you are right - definitely more suited to secondary students. I hope you can find an avenue to do that.

Cheers
Shelley

It' a great idea Stephen, and well portrayed. I like it.

Thanks, Robyn.

Truth is, I wrote it straight onto the forum on Sunday morning, but wanted a bit more time to think about the last couple of verses, so went to save it as a draft…and stuffed it up, losing the lot!

So then I went to have a shower to cool off, and then I had another crack at it - writing it on Word this time! A few phrases came back to me, but it was mostly a different poem - expressing the same ideas, though.

I HATE having to rewrite - even if it is only a couple of lines. I always feel I've missed some great gems - when common sense would tell me my first draft was unlikely to be the masterpiece I thought it was. The surge of satisfaction I get when I finish a poem soon reveals itself as rose-coloured glasses once I don my editor's specs.
This is not to say your first effort wasn't great - who will ever know? But the second one looks good to me.

Thanks, Robyn.

Oh no, Stephen! I can understand why you needed to "cool off" - even in the Melbourne weather!!

About three or four years ago we met a memorable character (one of many) on our caravan travels. I've wanted to put the story into a poem but hadn't found the right angle - until last night when I couldn't sleep, and sometime after midnight an idea suddenly came to me!

I wrote four verses in my head - and promptly went to sleep.

Now it is after 1 pm the next day ... and reading your post has only just made me remember - not the verses of course, but the fact that I wrote them. Aaarrggghhh!!! They were wonderful too (of course - they always seem wonderful when you are half asleep!) I'm sure Banjo and CJD would have been proud ... but we'll probably never know!!!

Onward and upward ... I might as well go and do the ironing!

Cheers
Shelley

Shelley, I am sure the day will come when you just have to prop a little scanner pointed at your head on your bedside table at night, and it will record all your thoughts and dreams - including all the verse you have written! Maybe you'll be able to download the app from the ABPA website.

Meanwhile, alas, it's the ironing - or a shower!