give or take a metre

GIVE OR TAKE A METER.

HAD A BIT OF FLACK LATELY, WELL, some constructive criticism, it's all to do with me poetic writing standards, and lack thereof. It seems that I am lacking in the art of writing science, in particular, the ‘crappy' Bush poetry that flows from my brain and thence from my keyboard,

Now, this will not faze me, nor the years condemn, at the going down of my life nothing will change. My stuff is exotically me; it is ever bodies right to be unique and say it like it is.

So therefore and thus, a little explanation to the pundits; Grammar and English is not my forte, year (9) was my limit, and poetry came before sport. However I must stress that I am constantly revising my Bush Poetry, new words here, and the flow will be altered to ‘read right'. Clumsy lines edited and corrected.

It must be mentioned that "me and I and self indulgence" will appear on the same line, I understand the ramifications. Further to these comments, my life as a poet commenced 12 months ago, my narrative attempts at rhyming are loosely a chronology of my paltry life; bear with me folks, ‘cause there is a poem ‘acumen'.

I MENTION METRE, (METER), not the distance I hesitate to say, or should that be stressed, maybe acoustic properties.

Me hat's off, me sleeves are rolled up, and I'm ready for the fray, this poem's about correctness, you critic's will take bay.
You see, I never wrote a poem, including the Aussie Bushy ones, ones that I cant match.
Until a tragic incident occurred, in my locale, in my backyard, described as bein' on my patch.
This will be time well spent, so of I went, to write a rhyming Bushy poem.
Heart full of sorrow. Who's words can I borrow, bugger it, the words will be my own.

All about a flooded creek, my first attempt was written.
Much more crappy rhyming verse then followed, Farley's brain was smitten.
Then based with prior learning, living life if you will.
I'll base me poems on a life of yore, my memories I will fill.
Well you can't believe how vernacular weaved, in and out this Bushy narrative.
I soon found out, with out a doubt, bends some words use some slang, from Aussie stuff the decretive.

And now down the track, from way outback, from left field the bitter truth rose up and bit me lame.
I read some stuff by a bloke named Ellis... Campbell is his last name.
Beloved Bush poems is his game, my work he puts to shame, shameful, followed by the then some.
It's the reason why I'm trying hard to do good things, so why am I so bloody winsome.
What an Aussie champ, his writing tips I follow with enjambment, onomatopoeia and metaphors in quick succession.

Problem is, old Aussie mate, my minds to thick to comprehend the science of the mission.

I think I've got a handle on rhythm, on caesurae, similes and clichés, and maybe a stanza dream.
Constantly revise me poems, cant get monometer right and have to re-write the rotten theme.
Bugger me, almost got the imagery right, can you see wot I see Ellis, I have been on the track that yourv' been down.
There's a bloke called Bernard, der Silver throated is he known, knock about man, you Poets will look at this and moan.

Don't let the hangman's noose slip loose; you blokes keep knocking out the good stuff.
Me, I'll just plod along, singing my song, poems in my vernacular, sometimes honest. Always very rough.

My poems are full of self-procrastination, self-indulgence, me, I, and a little more of self.
But, then 60 years plus, arse out of me duds, so I can't sit on the shelf.
Our poetry, my regret, is miles and miles apart, you hark from Coolah, so I must give some thoughts impart.
My Pommie ancestors settled in the upper Hunter, we might be cousins, now there's a merry start.

Well sorry Ellis Campbell, if in the cupboard the skeleton resides, and writes.
Maybe you will disown this poet, but I look for your clergy often, my pledge will be to put it right.

And, so with this tongue in cheek analogy, respect to you not with-holden'.
Best wishes from all Bushy Aussies, you bloody beauty, keep those words unfolden'.

John D. Farley© 2009.

PS: This will be re-written', edited, and then some.