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LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

0 posted 2009-02-08 08:17 PM



           A Woman of the Outback

She sits there alone in her old rocking chair
And dreams once again of the years that are past,
Life had been hard but she’d  live it all again
With past happiness & memories to which she holds fast,

She was eighteen when she first went to a dance,
Her great excitement was a joy to behold,
Although she was shy when asked she said yes
And she shivered as if she were cold.

But it was the thrill of his arm around her waist
And she gazed shyly up into his eyes,
He was quite a handsome young chap
And his feelings he didn’t try to disguise.

They both hit it right off from the start,
They just seemed to be  made for each other
And months later when he finally asked for her hand,
She was happy to say yes as there’d not be another.

After their wedding he took her outback
Where he had a small farm in the West,
Things were very hard in those early years,
She wondered if she was up to the test.

But she was made of the very best blood
And faced up to the challenge of life in the rough,
No running water, no power no phone
And for money there was never enough.

Her husband worked hard to clear the land
And she toiled beside him each day,
Amenities were few in their little old shack,
The floor boards were showing many signs of decay.

Twelve months to the day her first baby was born
And he filled both their hearts with great joy,
She gave thanks to the Lord for a fine healthy son
For they were both so pleased that it was a boy.

The years slipped away and her family increased
Until the tally was standing at seven,
Three girls and four boys lit up their lives,
And they made it their own patch of heaven.

She remembered the times when drought took its toll
When her husband had to go droving with sheep,
Sometimes he’d be away for many months at a time
While she stayed at home , her young family to keep.

She thought of the times with only rabbits to eat
And a few spuds and onions to make a stew,
She scrimped & she saved & made the kid’s clothes,
Never having any cash to buy clothes that were new.

The kids had to walk three miles to school every day,
On hot days were often taught under the shade of belahs,
One teacher they had in a small one roomed school
But they all diligently learnt the three Rs.

So the years slowly passed and the kids all grew up
And in time they married & had kids of their own,
They all loved their Nana for she doted on them,
Even now when they were all fully grown..

Her husband had passed away a few years ago
And she found it quite lonely at times,
She was always overjoyed when the grandkids came to stay
And to the little ones, pass on her nursery rhymes.

But most of the time her mind wanders back
To a hard life that she shared with her man,
Although they were poor much happiness they shared
Right from when they first wed & married life began.

Lindsay


  


© Copyright 2009 Lindsay P Wilson - All Rights Reserved
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
1 posted 2009-02-08 11:22 PM


Tough life but a simple rewarding one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. No one gets out of this one alive.

Take care

Eric

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2009-02-09 08:45 AM


This is a wonderfully poignant tale, dear Lindsay. You are a master story teller you know.

I learned the meaning of "dote" which I did not know and it's the right word for the feeling my own children had for my Mom.

This woman has lived a better life than many of those who were materially richer in possessions. She LIVED authentically.

Beautiful!

Love,
Margherita

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
3 posted 2009-02-09 04:12 PM


Yes, you tell wonderful stories, LP.
                                Ida
                                                                                                                                        

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
4 posted 2009-02-09 04:28 PM


Lindsay - my friend, this was a most enjoyable read. A beautiful story indeed...

BC

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2009-02-09 04:38 PM


I glanced at this earlier... am glad I had time to come back and give it the time it deserves. *S* You've told a wonderful story and told it very well... Fine work here! *S*
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2009-02-10 06:26 PM


The best...James
HelmutB
Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 964
Canada
7 posted 2009-02-10 07:43 PM


Looking back is nice to do and yes our lifes are what we make of it. I thing she did well with her husband.
Love like is not easy to find, You described it well.
Thanks

The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.  


LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
8 posted 2009-02-10 07:55 PM



To my very good friends, Eric, Margherita, Ida, Bill, Suthern and James, It always

gives me a buzz when I get such a response from such great poets as yourselves and I

thank you sincerely. That is one of the great things about PIP, meeting some

wonderful people who share similar interests
God bless you all.

Lindsay

sewasham
Senior Member
since 2006-09-11
Posts 714
Oklahoma, USA
9 posted 2009-02-10 10:25 PM


Another fine write Lindsay. Very much enjoyed the story. Take care and Have fun. Steve


Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
10 posted 2009-02-10 10:55 PM


Lindsay,

I had to read this one out loud a couple of times.  It swept me away and I fell in love with the lady, her man and the children.  It's a special poem that speaks to me - thank you.

Love ya, Storytellin' Poet
A

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
11 posted 2009-02-11 07:28 PM


LP, those early days may have been filled with
hardships, but they were also filled with heart.

Your stories are always spell-binding, well-told, and touch the heart ~ while others touch the funny bone!

Love you, my kind and compassionate friend!
Linda

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
12 posted 2009-02-11 10:01 PM



I'm glad you liked the story Steve and thanks for responding. take care.

And you're a special person to, Alison, and I Love ya too.

Thank you to my Canadian Princess, I mean Earth Angel, Your wonderful poems also touch the heart. I love ya too.

Lindsay

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
13 posted 2009-02-11 11:23 PM


A story well told, so true of life---of love and suffering, of loneliness and happiness, of triumphant and tragedy, but not necessarily in despair and defeat.

Great work, Sir!

art

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
14 posted 2009-02-12 07:22 PM



Thank you Art for taking the time to

respond. Much appreciated. Take care.

Lindsay

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