June homework, Summing Up

[Ron]

Dragged this one out of the archives, written way back and I did post it on the old site years ago. The original I wrote while staying at Busselton after doing a wine tour, have tidied it up a little since then.

SUMMING ‘UP’
© Ron Boughton 2007

Around the Margaret River, we were drinking of their wine
and must admit the tastings were all going down quite fine,
but when the sampling etiquette just floated out the door,
then ‘bottoms up’ became the call, ‘and fill ‘em up’ once more!

Now, in West Oz’, near’ every second place ends in UP!
So ‘Bottoms Up’ provoked a thought as wine flowed from the cup,
From Amelup to Yuntecup and all ups in between
one wonders is a ‘Bottoms Up’ anywhere to be seen!

Investigation then revealed the ‘Up’ bit means ‘place of’
interpretation is required, for it’s then a case of,
to join the prefix to the Up to find out what it means,
so common phrases, thus applied, strewth! Visualise the scenes!

Would ‘Bottoms Up’ describe a place of people showing bums!
Or ‘Two Up’ be a place of doing simple census sums,
and ‘Fed Up’ may well mean a place that has abundant food,
but ‘Throw Up’ could just mean strong arms and nothing really rude!

If ‘Pick Me Up’ is where there’s a perpetual beauty crown,
‘Belt Up’ could be where everybody’s pants once fell down!
Would ‘Cock Up’ be a place where only a rooster exists
and could ‘Thumbs Up’ be a place of just single digit fists!

At ‘Stuck Up’ there would be no chance of ever leaving there
and ‘P-ss Up’ in your weirdest dreams, not visit on a dare!
‘Front Up’ would be a place, where there would be no looking back
and if you’d visit ‘Booze Up’ you’d get more than a six pack!

‘Wake Up’ would be where there’s many a funeral send-off
and ‘Stood Up’ be where at any form of seat they would scoff!
But to see what was at ‘Stuff Up’ …you’d really have to go
and of how many ‘Ups’ there are, we’ll never really know!

But there is a State of ‘Drink Up’ that’s found on a wine tour’
In the West Oz’ wine district it can also be a cure!
For if you’re down, wearing a frown, let the wine fill your cup
read the town signs and you’ll find, the only place to go is …’UP’!

[Terry]

Good one Ron

Coming from the midst of countless 'UP'S' here in the west I can really appreciate your words.
My grandparents little farm was at Marbleup (true) just down the line from Narracup and so on.
I have also been involved in some of the other (UP'S) you touched on, sometimes to my regret.
You also mentioned Busselton - That's where my wife comes from (but never regretted that).

Terry

[Ron]

Thanks Terry, I had a hunch that you would relate to it pretty well.
We really enjoyed our stay at Busselton, although it was only for a few days, but we found it a very pleasant spot. Walked out on the jetty a couple of times and the whole place was our pick of the coastal towns in that area.
Cheers
Ron.

[Shelley Hansen]

G'day Ron

Love this! Having visited WA and discovered some of the 'Ups some years ago, I've always been fascinated by their strange names, and of course I always enjoy a play on words.

Keepitup!

Cheers
Shelley

[Maureen K Clifford]

WOW! I had no idea about the 'ups', but those places will seem very different now that I do. I love the way you wove so many into your poem with not a hiccup in sight. Well done and I enjoyed the read and the storyline - thank you Ron.

[Ron]

Thanks so much Shelley and Maureen for your positive feedback, much appreciated.

Shelley, great to see you back and hope Rod keeps improving in leaps and bounds!
Also liked 'Keepitup'! ha ha! now I guess that would mean a town full of selfish people!

Maureen, yes I too was always mystified by the 'Up' endings in W.A. and I asked the driver/guide on the wine tour and it was he who explained it meant 'place of'... pleased you enjoyed it.
Also liked the 'Hiccup'
Cheers
Ron.

[Catherine Lee]

Love this, Ron - very clever and original! Like Maureen, I didn't know about the 'ups' either, but certainly do now, ha! Really enjoyed this poem.

[Ron]

Thank you Catherine, pleased you enjoyed it.
Since writing it, and with so many more 'ups' coming to my attention, I think it would be easy to double up on the length!

Cheers
Ron.