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Open Poetry #37
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the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.

0 posted 2006-03-14 12:41 PM


Touring Australia by caravan has become a National pastime, but it can have it moments.


CARAVANNING MAYHEM

We’re as Aussie as a barbecue, fair dinkum as they come,
and we’re crazy ‘bout our footy and we love a Bundy rum.
We’re as true blue as Don Bradman and I’ll wager both our pays
we’re as ridgy didge as vegemite. No! Mightymight leastways.

We get green and gold malaria at least twice every week
and the truth be known ... we’ve got it now ... right as we flamin’ speak.
When we see our nation’s coat of arms we feel a sense of pride.
Well ... that was until we went outback. These days we cringe and hide.

We had bought a brand new four-wheel drive and caravan to boot
and we thought we’d tour Australia. It was bound to be a hoot.
Well we drove through Bourke and Charleville and that old mate is where ...
both those critters on our coat of arms ... attacked us then and there.

We had crossed the bridge at Yo Yo Creek when right there in full view
was a whopping great big kangaroo and old man emu too.
Well they raised our Aussie pride on high ... that’s till they split those chaps
and the emu hit the windscreen and was dumped upon our laps.

It was panic that now overtook this oversized galah,
as he started kicking madly to escape from out the car.
His big beak was pecking firmly at the middle of my groin,
while my manhood stood protected by a pocket full of coin.

The sharp claws were madly thrashing and my wife was not amused
‘cause he lashed out at her torso that was bloodied, cut and bruised
and whatever emus tend to eat and forage through the day
was now spread throughout the vehicle as we fought that deadly fray.

The old emu found the window and with freedom now in sight
that bird shredded the upholstery as he kicked with all his might.
We were covered with its feathers and in one almighty push
he then squeezed on out the window and he headed for the bush.

We were bloodied, bruised and beaten and bewildered and amazed
as we scrambled from our four-wheel drive and still a little dazed.
We were now in need of first aid so we opened our van door
and we climbed inside to find the kit, both bleeding on the floor.

In the meantime unbeknown to us the big ‘roo in despair,
he had clipped our brand new four-wheel drive and hurtled through the air.
When the flying frame of that large beast, which stood near six feet tall,
it had landed in the caravan, through awning, glass and all.

On the table there before us stood this stunned ‘roo, not quite dead,
when the scream from my old lady triggered something in its head.
In an instant he had grabbed me and had lunged out with his feet
and he shredded my new Levis and then made a quick retreat.

He had landed on the double bed and turned to strike again,
but instead his big tail hit me with excruciating pain.
He then latched onto the missus and they grabbed each other’s necks,
then they jumped around together till they both looked flamin’ wrecks.

In that instant I then managed to make for the van’s front door
while the missus she kept screaming, “I can’t take this any more!”
Now the ‘roo he sensed his freedom and both he and my poor wife
spilled outside onto the roadway, where it bolted for its life.

For the moment we just stood there both bewildered by our plight
and I must confess our torsos they were not a pretty sight.
We then sat and drank the rum we had, we needed a stiff drink.
And we headed back for Melbourne where we both sought out a shrink.

We have sold the four wheel-drive and van to pay our flamin’ quack
and we watch the good old tele when we want to go outback.
We have both now turned religious and we daily read the psalms,
but we cringe when we’re confronted by our nation’s coat of arms.


©Bush Poet
Merv Webster


© Copyright 2006 the grey - All Rights Reserved
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
1 posted 2006-03-14 02:06 AM


Terrific writing!  Much enjoyed.
the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.
2 posted 2006-03-14 02:24 AM


G'day Iliana.  I hope you were able to get a chuckle out of these folks escapade.  Thanks for sharing.
Rainbowdust
Member
since 2002-12-05
Posts 320
Sydney, Australia
3 posted 2006-03-14 02:38 AM


Laughing at this, so well written! As if I didn't need another excuse to stay at home! Hehe..

The soul would have no rainbows, had the eyes no tears.

the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.
4 posted 2006-03-14 02:48 AM


G'day Rainbowdust.  I'm glad you got a laugh out of it.  Don't let it put you off on touring the great oudoors old mate.  Go on, get out there and enjoy yourself.

The Grey

PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon
5 posted 2006-03-14 03:22 AM


That is wonderful!! I laughed til I cried and then laughed some more. If I ever find myself in your fair land, I'll make sure to wear my body armor and drive a tank! Excellent story!!
the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.
6 posted 2006-03-14 03:30 AM


G'day PhaerieChild.  They say that laughter is the best medicine and I hoped this tale was a good tonic for you.  Now you know why Ned Kelly wore all that armour. thanks for sharing.

The Grey

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2006-03-14 06:39 AM



Yes, Merv, you keep your promises very well. Thanks for the tail of the tail, and the peck of the moment...I guess it was good you had a pocketful of coin!




the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.
8 posted 2006-03-14 07:25 AM


Thank goodness for our large fifty cent coins Karilea and thanks for sharing this outback tale with us

The Grey


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