The Passing of Stumpy Shore

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the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

0 posted 2006-01-06 05:53 PM

The experiences of integration back into society by many of Australia's returned soldiers were often only known by close family members, if that.  Whether the result of today's open-mindedness, the plight of veterans lives after Vietnam has been more of an open book.  Their stories are quite sobering, touching the lives of both city and country folk.  Lest we forget.

The Passing of Stumpy Shore

The Constable had found the man 'round five on Friday morn,
Apparently while on his shift from midnight through till dawn.
Two youths, with blood stains on their clothes, detained drunk in the park
Disclosed they'd rolled some homeless bloke, sometime just after dark.
As Sergeant in this country town I'd lived round here for years;
Observed some pretty callous things, but this left me in tears.
The aged and fragile frame lay slumped there in a pool of mud
And through his snow white hair and beard was clotted, crimson blood.

The Constable looked up and said, "There fam'ly we can call?
For surely someone knows him Sarge.  You know the bloke at all?"
"He's know 'round here as Stumpy lad, been here a year or two.
Came out way back in sixty-three to work on Beetaloo,
Then worked his way to overseer and often came to town;
Was captain of the football team, a sportsman of renown.
He married pretty Sheila Clark and when his son was four
They called conscripts for Vietnam, which saw him go to war."

"A war of conflicts that would scar and traumatise the mind,
Confusing, cruel, and futile acts some failed to leave behind.
Inherent post traumatic stress was that war's legacy,
Together with the stump you see attached below his knee.
The old man lying there my lad is testimony too
A life spent fighting guilt and fear his mind could not subdue.
Poor Sheila shared his sleepless nights, the flashbacks and his pain,
But in the end she lost the fight as Stumpy left again."

"He camped in squats around the town and drowned his pain with wine,
Withdrew into his own quiet world, content now to resign,
From all of life's inequities, the company of folk,
But all the town saw Stumpy Shore, a harmless poor old bloke.
His Sheila raised their only son, who still lives here today;
Who cared for her through all those years until she passed away.
She'd told him of the man she'd known before he went to war,
So in his mind he held no grudge against old Stumpy Shore."

"In fact one day down by the creek, while Stumpy washed his socks,
He saved a lad from drowning as he'd dived onto some rocks.
The boy he saved that very day was his own grandson Kim;
Ironical, I guess eh lad, that Stumpy should save him."
"You know Sarge, when I found the man, I thought him just a bum
And judged the bloke on what I saw, but this has left me numb.
The facts are mighty sob'ring Sarge and now I feel real bad.
You reckon we can find his son?" ... "You're talking to him lad."

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

1 posted 2006-01-06 06:09 PM

hits home~~

M

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

2 posted 2006-01-06 06:33 PM

Thank you for taking the time to share my verses M

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

3 posted 2006-01-06 06:34 PM

Thank you for sharing my verses M

The Grey

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

4 posted 2006-01-06 07:18 PM

You are welcome...you sound familiar since there are many from Australia here and some from my past elsewhere...who write of soldiers and wartime

Welcome to this site ...

M

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2006-01-06 07:25 PM

Welcome, Sir Grey....

To Passions, to Poetry...to ballads.

We have a Balladeer here...

who will truly enjoy a companion of rhythmic, metered verse....

you two will compliment one another very well.

I look forward to reading more stories...

so pull 'em out of your sack, laddie...
you'll find many appreciative souls!

~*~

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

6 posted 2006-01-06 08:48 PM

WELCOME TO PASSIONS!
I so much enjoyed your entrance post!
I'm looking forward to reading more of your words.
~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

In the midst of winter,
I found there lives within me..
An invincible summer.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

7 posted 2006-01-06 10:52 PM

Welcome to the Passions family !!
Much enjoyed your first post
Have fun here !!
Chris

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

8 posted 2006-01-06 11:02 PM

You have told this story so well, in verse excellent...welcome to Passions!!

aujussy wolf

Senior Member

since 2003-08-09

Posts 1215
Michigan

9 posted 2006-01-06 11:09 PM

the best write i have read in a long time
sad and at the same time a damn good story , in the end he regains his honor , you did this justice gray ... peace to old stumpys soul may he rest in peace ~J

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

10 posted 2006-01-06 11:15 PM

I think even Banjo would be proud of this one...good tale expertly told.

Dark Angel
Member Patricius

since 1999-08-04

Posts 10095

11 posted 2006-01-07 04:14 PM

yup, I agree with 'Deer...Banjo Paterson would be mighty proud.

Superb writing tg....

looking forward to reading more

Library

and... WELCOME to Passions!

Maree

how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more
~Neruda~

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

12 posted 2006-01-08 05:02 AM

G'day Sunshine. Thank you for the warm welcome and I appreciate your taking the time to share Stumpy's tale.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

13 posted 2006-01-08 05:12 AM

G'day Nancy Lee. Thank you also for your warm welcome and sharing Stumpy's story.

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

14 posted 2006-01-08 05:25 AM

G'day Chris. Won't forget that name as my dear wife's name is Chris as well. Thank you for your warm welcome and taking the time to share The Passing of Stumpy Shore.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

15 posted 2006-01-08 05:30 AM

G'day from Downunder Martie. I'm glad Stumpy's story moved you. Thanks for sharing his story.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

16 posted 2006-01-08 05:34 AM

G'day J. Mate thanks for sharing Stumpy's story and sadly there are so many who have a similiar tale to tell.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

17 posted 2006-01-08 05:37 AM

G'day again M. Thank you again and appreciate the warm welcome.

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

18 posted 2006-01-08 05:44 AM

G'day Balladeer. Mate, old Banjo left us a wonderful Legacy and along with old Henry they did us proud. I just hope that in my little way I can help keep the tradition alive. Thank you for sharing Stumpy's story.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

19 posted 2006-01-08 05:46 AM

G'day Maree. As an Australian Bush Poet I am grateful to have mentors like Banjo and Henry and Co. Thank you for sharing Stumpy's story too.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

20 posted 2006-01-08 05:51 AM

G'day again M. Thank you for your warm welcome.

The Grey

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

21 posted 2006-03-18 11:46 PM

Absolutely held my attention to the end. I am enjoying your homepage and poetry, and welcome to Passions, sorry I was late finding a new poet.

the grey
Member

since 2006-01-06

Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

22 posted 2006-03-19 01:21 AM

I appreciate your sharing my work Mysteria as I find that a lot of folk don't seem to enjoy the longer rhying bush ballads. They are a tradition here Downunder and the legacy of Paterson, Lawson and Co.

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