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BUSH MONSTER

Some say there is no such thing as Bunyip in the bush
Or Yowie trampling grey and tender humus under foot
But let me tell the story somewhat strange but very true
Of the time I was so frightened that I don’t know what to do.

Was out on business in the country but the car had broken down
And was fifty from the Station but some thirty miles from town
And I thought I’d lay me over by a huge and lofty Gum
So I rolled the swag foot outwards from the hillside I was on.

Now the sky was lit by moonlight and the clouds were pastel grey
Though at night I there was camping It was almost bright as day
And the tree was silhouetted in its shadow full of leaves
So in safety thought was sleeping 'neath mighty Boxwood Eaves.

And the crickets and the bullfrogs and cicadas on the wing
Trilled me into lullabies as they began to sing
Deeper into sleep I fell unconscious until four
When I woke in livid terror at the sight I nearly saw.

The sound I heard was horrible a thousand banshee calls
Screaming like their throats were cut or something bit their balls
And when I looked above me only open sky could see
Every single leaf was gone from off that massive tree.

And not one leaf was on the ground nor any in my bed
Nor any in the skeleton of the Boxwood overhead
Not one leaf of evidence was found or could be seen
Yet I know I lay beneath a silhouetted evergreen.

Can you imagine waking from a sleep as deep as mine
To the sound of something murdered by a rusty piece of twine
And the thing I saw was like a shadow lifting from the tree
It caused my heart to palpitate and pants to fill with pee.

I shook and trembled fervently and not because of cold
My hair had turned to greyness my appearance looking old
And though I cast my eyes toward the shadow as it flew
It soon welded fast to darkness and completely hid from view.

By sunrise I had fixed the car and sped back into town
And found the biggest pub I could And there I sat me down
And the owner answered kindly as he poured a beer for me
“There’s a flock of frigging fruit bats always occupy that tree!”

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
Last few words: 
Not necessarily a true story.
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

I was waiting and waiting. I’m so glad to have gotten the explanation. Great ending.

Tim

Yeah the explanation comes along on the last line. I'm glad you discovered it by yourself it is so much more rewarding that way.
But I guess we can laugh these outcomes given hindsight.

ha ha
Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment

what a ripping good tale you spin! I was with you all the way. loved the ending,

*hugs, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

Thank you for being part of my audience. My only desire is that I entertain and amuse you in some small way. These poems that are a bit like a short ballad but are comical in nature are completely different to my more serious poems such as "Bare Hands" or "Black Hearse". That being said I feel they may prove to be the more popular genre simply because they are usually funny. I will post more of them in the future amid more serious poems.

Thank you for the comment.
Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment

being of a morbid bent, I know I shall enjoy your more serious poems, too! thank you! I have an alter ego (male) his name is eddy styx and he writes dark poetry.

*hugs, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

Hi, We also have a resident bat colony which seems to relocate itself periodically. I don't know where it lives at present but it is still close by.
Thank you for reading my poem and taking the time to respond to it. I do appreciate all the attention that I am getting here on Neopoet .

Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment

Loved it, and chuckled aloud at the last line. Alex

Thank you Alex, A light-hearted read is like picking the (Your Medicine) columns of Readers Digest at the Doctors Surgery. Its there to lift your spirits and be not too deep as to cause consternation. I am glad that this seems to be happening with my comedy poems. But I must remember not to forsake more serious poems for these brief interludes no matter how funny or entertaining they may be. I don't think that "My Wife Needs Help" or "Bush Monster" would ever win accolades in any poetry competition but that is not the purpose for which they are written. Their purpose is merely to get a laugh.

Thank you
Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment

I live not far from one of the biggest bat colonies, if not the biggest, they fly over at dusk everyday and absolutely demolish everything. Some nights it's like the waking stars are shrouded in black there are so many.

Now to your write. If I could give you a standing ovation I would this truly is a masterpiece.

Bravo!!!! I adore this poem. You're a naturally gifted storyteller.

Kindest Regards Jayne

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

A tree full of bats is a bush monster without mistake. They are majestic in their appearance and regal in their call but their droppings yuk! We have a huge mango tree at the back of our house which gets attacked by the bats. Theye carry mangoes off and sometimes drop them on the roof of the house. What a noise!

Thank you for the standing ovation I can imagine it. It is very much appreciated. I do like the challenge of writing comical poems but in the telling I sacrifice meter and imagery to end up more like prose than poetry. Nevertheless it still is fun to do.

Thank you as always your stars shine and my surname is Orion which also is in the stars.

Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment

Delightful story! I surely enjoy reading your works. Well done!

~RoseBlack~

Thank you for the compliment. Glad you enjoyed it.

There is not much I can add just that it is not nearly as true as it claims.

Poets Hand
Hannah

author comment
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