Day 8 bush poem 8:
Here is a John Best original about the Seniors’ Resistance
John Best:
Contemporary Bush Poetry reflects Australia’s life today and
historically has provided a powerful vehicle for social change. Maybe not this
poem, but who knows? I wrote this in 2002 and now we have a national inquiry.
I’ve called it:
Are the Elderly Revolting?
I have reached the autumn of my life which
wasn’t that flash in its summer.
That’s me, you see, I have always marched
to the beat of another drummer.
But I like to think I can end my days, and
round this great land roam,
For I’ve a dread of the living dead, locked
up in a bad nursing home.
To the aged it’s a sensitive issue, to the
young just a smile, maybe shrug
But I know you seldom find answers to
problems swept under the rug.
So if laughter be the medicine, let’s
tackle this with humour.
What’s he on about? Let me spell it out and
dispense with the myth and rumour.
Those caring honest operators – this is not
about you, I should stress.
It’s those few, the heartless and greedy,
who attract all the unwanted press.
Yes, you’ve a problem Canberra and my
thoughts on the problem I’ll share.
There’s a need to review the one you have
who is responsible for aged care.
For a start there’s the problem of image
which should be addressed with vigour.
Who can reconcile that aggressive style
with a caring mother figure?
I’ve no doubt she’s a very nice person but
on TV she makes me go tense.
She purses her lips, seems to shoot from
both hips. She’d be far better off in defence!
From defence, it’s not far to travel back
to, dare I mention, a war?
When the Poms built a camp concentration,
you know in that blue with the Boer.
From there it’s only a hop step and jump
if you leave your thoughts free to roam
And what do you get? Your worst nightmare
yet – you guessed it, a bad nursing home
In some homes you’ll find shelter and
comfort and their owners should all be applauded.
Yet others deserve to be closed down, for
they’re not what the doctor ordered.
Or are they? Who owns all these places?
Whose is the money invested?
Do their interests conflict? Some may, I
predict, and this certainly needs to be tested.
Now I’ve spoken at length to these seniors.
I do poetry for them, then chat,
And slowly I’ve reached a
conclusion–there’s other places they’d rather be at.
There’s a groundswell of disenchantment,
now a whisper, it’ll soon be a shout
It’s not good enough. They’re doin’ it tough. I can picture a
mass breakout.
See I’ve checked out their library records
and these lines you should all read between –
Three most popular books? “The Great
Escape”, “Papillon” and “Stalag 17”.
The local TAFE’s not unsympathetic:
anti-nursing home protests they’ve staged
To show that they care they’ve sewn bags
for hot air and taught tunnelling to the aged.
So, don’t be surprised if, one morning,
balloon squadrons float over your fence.
There’ll be no spring chickens in these
baskets and the hot air?
Yeah, flatulence. And don’t ring the law,
please just ignore those depressions in your front lawn.
It’s a tunneller, mate. When he reaches
your gate by tomorra, he’ll be gone
Should they not have the strength to leave
on their own, this issue I will not shirk.
They’ll just laptop their mate in a
wheelchair. Please note here the genius at work,
Vision impairment? No problem! I’ve a
scheme I admit I’ve not tried,
See, I’m breedin’ these bloody big guide
dogs. They’ll just hop in the saddle and ride!
And you mob, if drivin’ near nursin’ ‘omes
spot someone a little bit older,
They’re not hard to pick – they’ve a walker or stick with a furtive look
over their shoulder.
Do the right thing! Lend ‘em a hand, render
whatever assistance.
Your turn’ll come ‘round, now known
underground “Paid up member of Senior Resistance”.
As you’ve gathered by now, I’m across this.
Those that can flee will have flown.
I’ve
no doubt solved most of their problems and those left behind, “Home Alone”.
Yes Minister, you’ve done some good work.
Give credit where credit is due,
But I think, and I’m not alone thinkin’,
that we should do better. Don’t you?
For these folk and their like forged this
nation, this country of which we’re so proud.
Some gave up their youth for Australia,
others gave up their lives, brave, unbowed.
Minister, is this how we repay them? For
this did they work, fight and die?
We can and we must do this better, or is
“Lest We Forget” now a lie?
YOU CAN ORDER TALL TALES from your
physical bookstore (author Long John Best, publisher Bent Banana Books) or in
paperback or eBook from online-retailers including
https://bit.ly/3iN3Wld
(Barnes&Noble paperback)
Proceeds to animal welfare, RSPCA QLD
Lest We Forget is the motto of Anzac Day
the Australian equivalent of Memorial Day in the US.
We started our first day of Long John Best
bush poetry with a Beatles song and we will conclude our eighth day with
another. For decades I thought the line was “Will you still heed me . . . “
I don’t want to usurp the genius of this
rock group but I do think “Will you still heed me . . ." is a better lyric.
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