The day started off well with the “Train” running again for the first time in 50 years on the Gold Coast. “Joh” took it away in a greedy grab for money with giving contracts to his transport mates, that amongst other “Joh” achievements set Qld back 30 years in progress; I think he may well be a hero to the new boy. Irene and enjoyed our first trip to nowhere and we had dinner in S/P, it was nice but will be much better when it goes all the way from Helensvale to Coolangatta.
We had a new poet and supporter come along and Jennifer recited some poems form one of her many published books while her husband Peter videoed and photo’d her recitals, welcome to both you, and we shall see you again next month.
I forgot my ledger/folder and in doing so left my two poems at home along with my lists and flyers, so I recited from my dodgy memory Dangerous Dan Smiths Tamworth, award winning poem, “A little Western Bar”. Them optional monthly theme and first line were “What now!!” and “The best/worst thing I ever caught was….”.
Bob started the day off well with his poem about catching the poetry bug and how it opened up his life to a whole new world and struck his brain with the illness of writers block and the eternal search for that exact elusive ‘just right’ word. He told of the mental torment that we all share and identify with so well. His second poem was a thought provoking poem written ten years ago on how dodgy our politicians are and in reciting it he noted that the bastards have not gotten any better in the ten years since he penned it. Bob continued our tradition of him closing the day with a poem and he recited a wonderful tale of the mythical transdimensional travelling “Bundy Bike” that has existed since the days of Bacchus the Greek and it has carried many a rider home for centuries, this bike has caused many UDI’s (Unidentified drinking injuries).Bob forgot to mention that he actually has one secured in his garage and I’ve seen his one but have never remembered where I parked mine.
Joan shared some more wonderful tales of her recent life time goal achieved journey across the UK, the memories and all the good times, nearly needing a holiday to get over her holiday. Her second poem was titled “Children our Future”, a very positive emotive poem tributed to her three wonderful sons and all her little grandchildren, all the good times and bad times that are shared together and come with love in a family. Joan’s third poem was about a trip on a gyrocopter and it was very entertaining indeed.
Eoin only had time for one recital and he shared his picturesque poem titled “06:26 am and six 6 degree”, written looking at a beautiful Southport morning unfolding into a typical perfect day, great poem mate.
Graham “The Master Bush Poet”, made a welcomed return after moving twice in three months. He recited a great Aussie poem scribed by Dan Sheahan at 70 years of age in 1950, “Cutting Green Cane”. Dan is the original author of ‘A pub with no beer’ written in the Day Dawn Hotel in Ingham in North Queensland in 1943. Graham did a great job reciting the poem from memory and he added it brought back memories to him of his days up there cutting cane and meeting Dan. His other poem was written by anon and was titled “The Smile” and shared the message of hope that a smile can make it all the way around the world and back. Graham’s third poem was the Aussie classic
“A Bush Christening” by A.B Patterson, recited from memory and performed with pride, well done mate.
Judi shared her poem on the theme ‘What Now’ and asked the question of what would she do with a million dollars, and she answered it very well and shared her words and her fortune with family and friends. Judi’s second poem “The best things in life are free”, was a very positive nice poem about the love, laughter and friendship shared in her life and in her family.
David wrote on the what now theme and spoke of new paths, new doors to be entered and the journey into ones heart and looking into ones soul to answer all the mysteries of life. His second poem was recited as a tribute to one of his and my hero’s, the late great Jack Brabham, he passed away on the 19/05/2014, the poem David chose to recite was the one I wrote about his amazing achievements and life, thanks for the honour of having you recite my poem David.
Gloria wrote a very funny poem about a ‘little muncher’ sharing and apple with her and their eye to eye confrontation; she pondered on the question that she will never know the answer to, did she eat his brother or not??? Gloria’s second poem written by a Judge Roy Moore in the USA about the changing face of the American Dream and right to be a Christian, and to believe in God; very emotional for her to recite and a very personal tribute from Gloria and one that many shared her passion and support.
Ted wrote on the what now theme and reminded us that all the rivers run to the sea but we see that sea is not full, paralleled with life!! His second poem was on the best/worst them and he pondered on the good and bad that come with the giving of unconditional. His third poem required audience participation and the word courage rang out many times!!!
Banjo recited a poem he wrote in 1889 when he was just a young lad, titled “Clancy of the Overflow” it was pretty good and he should publish it was the common sentiment shared by his peers. His second poem was one that he also wrote in 2013 titled “The Story of a Rat”, all about his attempts at Bonogin, to kill a little rat, all the traps and the shotgun he used to eventually miss the rat and damage his car, much to his wife’s delight in awe of his of ratty prowess!!
Manya recited a poem on the best/worst theme and shared how words are used in both of the subjects and can be powerfully positive and also destructive, so they should be chosen and used carefully. Her second poem was written four years ago about the passing her much loved and missed Son on 17th of July 1997, a date now also marked by the MH17 flight tragedy, very emotional and personal and heartfelt by us all.
Alex shared a poem by Scottish Poet, Robin Williamson about the evils of water and how it should only ever be consumed when mixed with whiskey!!! His second poem was written by Australian poet Les Murray, titled “Agitation” a deep and meaningful work written on an observation and pondering of life, ‘ the woman rises, but the curtain closes’.
Jennifer recited three of her well written poems, one about Australia and its wonderful flora and fauna and other two were on the up’s and down’s of life and voiced to us some of her journey, all three poems were well received and much applauded. Peter snuck in a funny two line poem about how she trod o’er the damp grass!!!
Joyce wrote on the best/worst theme and recalled how at 20 years of age she missed out on being in her sister’s wedding because she caught measles and had red spots and was substituted in the bridal party, and she wondered if it were the bride that had the red spots would she have been so easily replaced??? Her second poem was about the pain and joy of having the inside of her house repainted, and decided in the end it was worth it!!
Mac, as he has done for sixty years followed Joyce, he recited a beautiful poem about the cute little twenty four year old beauty he spied and pursued as the final winning suitor of her heart and the life they have shared and built since that day. His second poem was about their life and how they have come so far doing what they have done and they can see no reason to alter anything they do as they have true happiness beside each other. His third poem was the great tribute to the Aussie racing legend the Goondiwindi Grey, “Gunsynd”.
Sandy wrote an emotional and inspiring poem on the what now theme with the poem she wrote in the waiting room eight years ago when her son was diagnosed with cancer, she also accompanied it with an art work she created herself to mark the struggle to wellness that they have gone through together, and how the “now” is that he won and beat then survived the cancer. Her second poem was all about her life and life in general, and how things change so much and that life has so many twists and turns and is so worth living!!
Tom shared his poem “Fate in a few hours” as he told of the night the big Q left him stranded in Adelaide of all places, Adelaide. After he went to the hotel he decided to go for a walk and his poem told of his encounter with a beautiful woman and their time in a second hand book shop and the thoughts of what may have been. His second poem was about all the stupid obvious things people say like when you’re changing a flat tyre they ask, “Flat tyre hey??” to which he replied “No just rotating the air” a very funny life observation poem. His third poem was one of his master pieces titled “I married a monster from outer space”, very funny and well written and recited mate.
Allen started the day with a funny monologue on how he does not have anything in common, apart from looks, with the 84 year old Aussie in trouble in the UK, nothing!!!
His first poem was about how can we hope to solve the problems of the world when we can’t even solve the simple problem of running out of toilet paper in a public toilet and that we can’t even place them in sensible easy to get at locations!!! His second poem was a tribute to the “Page Three” ladies in the 50’s written by English Poet Alan Patrick Herbert.
Trish shared her poem “A Man on the Radio” a tribute to ‘Macca on Sunday’ the ABC programme and he saying that “Nobody wins in a war” and all the thoughts that simple provokes, a very nice poem Trish. Her second poem was written on a theme from a couple of years ago and it was titled “I woke up in the zoo once” a very funny poem about her encounter with a real man eater, the poem came with a twist at the end about a domesticated kitty that just may have been a jungle king.
Marjorie, our new poet from last month joined us again with a great poem about doing things in life for the first time and also included her first visit to poetry in paradise and the friendship and welcome she found on that day, thanks Marjorie your welcome anytime.
Have a great month as winter in nearing its end and the beautiful spring season is just around the corner. The optional theme for August the 17th is “The Race” and the optional first line is “Can I last that long….”. Take care and be nice, Jeffrey and Irene and the Poets in Paradise.
