From the humblest of beginnings
Began a tough innings
A family deprived
His dad had died
So to work he went
To help pay the rent
From a teen to a man
In a short time span
He had many a job
Hard earned each “bob”
He was a keeper of bees
He picked beans and peas
With marbles and shanghai
He had a keen eye
So rabbits he’d stalk
Their pelts he sought
A butcher and baker
And fence post maker
A fisherman and fruiterer
And even spud picker
A shearer of great ability
Those shears he clicked with agility
From morn to night
He worked hard alright
Met a girl and made her his wife
Ten children now blessed his life
He provided as best he could
Forever working for their good
A large family and so little money
Life, of course, was not always sunny
Simply he lived, simple his dwelling
The trials he faced so very compelling
A bloody awful thing was done
A terrible tragedy stole his son
With grief immeasurable and untold
He held together; staying controlled
Children struggled to forgive their mother
As she left him and found another
Yet for her he would always stand
Always hoping to win back her hand
Another tragedy claimed a limb
We thought it would be the death of him
His work, his wife, his health now gone
Yet silently, painfully he continued on
We knew his heart was terribly broken
Yet always forgiveness he had spoken
We knew he lived with daily pain
But silent and strong he would remain
His strength and courage was beyond belief
But for him there would be no relief
His children were now all grown
He died, one night … alone
In memory of “Gunny”
A true Aussie battler
Words Little Kate 2010
All Rights Reserved
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Comments
RIP "Gunny"
Rated with hugs
Linda: Thank you Linda. Honest and hardworking he was indeed. The quintessential Aussie battler.
Very nice meter and flow. Excellent emotional content.
You've passed yet another challenge!
JD: I passed? Phew! Thank you friend! I know this is simple but "Gunny" was a very simple and basic man. No pretentiousness about him ... just a "True Blue Aussie" and so I wanted t honour him by maintaining that simplicity of him. Thank you for inspiring me to remember him right now.
rated with love and love of the talent you have expressed in this poem.
r
The kind of people who hold us up and help us out.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful loving and safe Christmas.
Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
~Grace Noll Crowell
Thank you for sharing his memory and his strength with us.
Gerri: Thank you. I think he'd probably wonder what the heck I was making a fuss about and wander away, slightly embarrassed, and muttering something like "Silly girl!" under his breath!