This week K. McGee is focusing on the Australian (Bowlesian) Sonnet; I’m enjoying trying out these new [to me at least!] forms … here is my attempt.
Lining the docks in the fifties, awaiting,
Going to work, in a new land, Australia,
Thinking about the old land with nostalgia,
Yearning for new, spurning the old, migrating.
Citizenship after one year’s residing,
Warmth heals ailments, as health improved they blossomed.
The Gibbs and Gillard gaped as wide-eyed possums
And dreamt of singing or about presiding.
The scheme was extended to other countries
Like Malta, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey,
‘Please stay for two years or refund the money’.
Make the most of the time, all it embodies.
Going to work in a new land, Australia.
Boomerang Poms return with much nostalgia.
Polly Robinson © 2012
22/07/2012 at 15:10
I really enjoyed this quatrain:
Citizenship after one year’s residing
Warmth healed ailments as health improved they blossomed
The Gibbs and Gillard gaped as wide-eyed possums
And dreamt of singing or about presiding
It did a fine job of tying together the first and third.
I also loved that you subtly referenced how the Bowlesian sonnet came to be adopted as the Australian sonnet within the context of the poem. Not to mention this injection of Australian history. Well done – bravo!
22/07/2012 at 15:30
Thank you K, I’m enjoying your challenges and your comments