»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #37
»
The Nellies
| Open Poetry #37 |
|
The Nellies |
|
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
 THE NELLIES Australian historians, though having penned the tales about our nation's bushrangers, who mostly were all males, did somehow fail recording facts on one outlandish gang, who sneered at all authority and didn't give a hang. They terrorised the Warrego in Queensland’s far south-west, despite the thousand pound reward put up for their arrest. This trio of the meanest kind for years had been renown for robbing haberdasheries in almost every town. The leader was a buxom lass, the fearless Nellie Wunn, and with her rode sweet Nellie Court and doughy Nellie Dunn. The Nellies were all hated by the women of the west, as they would take the finest clothes and leave them with the rest. This gang would use the goods they stole and gate crash any ball, and trip the light fantastic with their men folk, one and all. Then as the stroke of midnight gonged they simply up and went, but left their trade mark lipstick kiss implanted on each gent. Though like all those who rode that path and went outside the law, the Nellies run of luck ran out and they would ride no more. All three would face the hangman's noose, a grisly kind of fate, and only by the good Lord's grace could they escape that date. By that I mean, should it occur, the process failed three times, the Lord was seen to intervene, which cancelled out their crimes. First up to face the gallows was the leader Nellie Wunn, but when the trapdoor failed three times her freedom had been won. Young Nellie Court was next in line when, strike me, don't you know, the trapdoor failed three times again and so they let her go. Then poor old doughy Nellie Dunn marched up the gallows stairs and as the noose went 'round her neck she quickly said her prayers. But as the executioner reached down to do the deed, poor doughy Nell cried, "Wait a bit! Before you do proceed I think I see what is at fault," then went on to relate, "the lever pin has fallen out and that's your problem mate." ©Bush Poet Merv Webster The Grey www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey |
||
| © Copyright 2006 the grey - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Something tells me that you are pulling our legs, and making fun of us blondes?  A very cute tale though indeed. |
||
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
But mysteria I never used the word blond anywhere in the poem.  |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
You're a good story teller, my friend. Enjoyed!! |
||
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Martie. I guess it's a tradition passed down from our pioneering forefathers who didn't have tele, Hi-fi etc and who just enjoyed sitting around the campfire sharing their stories in song, poetry and yarns. My wife and I have our own show we call 'Laughter and Tears from the Bush' and we carry on that tradition.  The Grey |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank Goodness for the Storytellers... write on!  |
||
|
LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
excellent story...thank you so much for the fun, the read and the images... |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I love your tales SO much!! Most excellent story Sir. Well told, and most enjoyed. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~  ~ Trace my body with your words, |
||
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
Thanks Karilea. The Grey |
||
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day LeeJ. Performance poetry has had a great revival here in the last twenty years and poet's breakfasts are popular at many festivals etc. Thanks for sharing this tale. The Grey |
||
|
the grey Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119Queensland, Australia. |
G'day Nancy. Appreciative audiences are much loved. Thanks for sharing the Nellies tale. The Grey |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
