when the billy boils... (10 word poem contest)
winter mustering
westerly winds
mates' camp
welcome
hot tea
peace
(In outback Australia, cattle muster time usually arrives in winter-time when stock is rounded up on large inland properties in preparation for them to be sold. An iron pot is taken along to make 'billy tea' on an open fire, this lending the brew a distinctive smoky flavour, made all the more interesting when a few twigs of a eucalypt gum are added after lifting it from the heat. The 'westerlies' are sharp, cold winds that are quite chilling, so a mug of sweet black tea is traditionally most welcome).(Picture is by 'sincarrete')
Patrick McFarland
You draw your reader into this stark landscape with just ten words. That's quite an accomplishment.
You draw your reader into this stark landscape with just ten words. That's quite an accomplishment.
sensebreeze
Peace indeed, beautiful!
Peace indeed, beautiful!
seema chowdhury
Beautiful picture to complement your lovely poem.
Beautiful picture to complement your lovely poem.
Munia Khan
Masterful work here Robyn.Thanks for the note.Great 10 word poem.
Masterful work here Robyn.Thanks for the note.Great 10 word poem.
Nightowl
Wonderful feel to this write. I like the crafting as well. Loved it. tfs
Wonderful feel to this write. I like the crafting as well. Loved it. tfs
robyn selters
Thanks, Ron. I have considered your suggestions and realize it could be reworked... however I wish to keep the shape visually so will go with the meaning of the camp comprising of a number of men... hence I have changed 'mate's camp' to 'mates' camp'
Thanks, Ron. I have considered your suggestions and realize it could be reworked... however I wish to keep the shape visually so will go with the meaning of the camp comprising of a number of men... hence I have changed 'mate's camp' to 'mates' camp'
Ron Peat
Then again Robin is you are using the word "camp" as a verb the correct way of spelling would be: "Mates camp" without an apostrophe at all. Possession is when there is an object to process, noun as "camp". Just another thought that dawned on me. A poet friend..RH Peat
Then again Robin is you are using the word "camp" as a verb the correct way of spelling would be: "Mates camp" without an apostrophe at all. Possession is when there is an object to process, noun as "camp". Just another thought that dawned on me. A poet friend..RH Peat
Ron Peat
Do you want singular or plural {Mates' or Mate's). I know this is common usage over there. But I am unsure of your intention here in the poem. Your description implies many of the fellows are encamped there to drink the tea with the round-up. But is "Mate's camp" referring to the campfire that is the cook's fire or the individuals? For you are saying many are camping as "mates"as well. I might be confused due to the common use of the word there and not here in the US, but my daughter lived over there for a few years. The poem seems to suggest that you are actually speaking of everyone's camp, which would be "mates' camp" which would mean everyone's encampment. Just a thought. Actually I found your history more interesting than your poem, but I did love the reduction process within the poem; however, I think you might experiment with re-arranging the words a bit. Just to see if you might find or create more tension between some of the words. Just a thought there. Very interesting subject here that is regional and quite wonderful in that way. A poet friend..RH Peat
Do you want singular or plural {Mates' or Mate's). I know this is common usage over there. But I am unsure of your intention here in the poem. Your description implies many of the fellows are encamped there to drink the tea with the round-up. But is "Mate's camp" referring to the campfire that is the cook's fire or the individuals? For you are saying many are camping as "mates"as well. I might be confused due to the common use of the word there and not here in the US, but my daughter lived over there for a few years. The poem seems to suggest that you are actually speaking of everyone's camp, which would be "mates' camp" which would mean everyone's encampment. Just a thought. Actually I found your history more interesting than your poem, but I did love the reduction process within the poem; however, I think you might experiment with re-arranging the words a bit. Just to see if you might find or create more tension between some of the words. Just a thought there. Very interesting subject here that is regional and quite wonderful in that way. A poet friend..RH Peat
nimal dunuhinga
Robyn's master story telling certifies this sweetest taste of the black tea, O if I get a chance to be there I could have taste that divine tea with another reading of this precious one!
Robyn's master story telling certifies this sweetest taste of the black tea, O if I get a chance to be there I could have taste that divine tea with another reading of this precious one!
shanmugam
after reading the explanatory note, i got the point and enjoyed.
after reading the explanatory note, i got the point and enjoyed.
Elena S
Thank you, my hands are cold but getting warm , am trying to sip an imaginary billy tea, who knows sometime, I will have one for real. Lovely poem, thank you!
Thank you, my hands are cold but getting warm , am trying to sip an imaginary billy tea, who knows sometime, I will have one for real. Lovely poem, thank you!
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
Sweeter than the tea...just wonderful in verse and fire power... Dorothy A Poe Who Loves To Sing
Sweeter than the tea...just wonderful in verse and fire power... Dorothy A Poe Who Loves To Sing
Jenny Gordon
Sweet! Tea, eh? Me likes immensely. Delightful alliteration as well as seems assonance. Lovely. The 10 words triumph again as a tidbit of reality musters a voice through them. I like it. Awesome visual too!
Sweet! Tea, eh? Me likes immensely. Delightful alliteration as well as seems assonance. Lovely. The 10 words triumph again as a tidbit of reality musters a voice through them. I like it. Awesome visual too!
Gerard Lebel
Cozy, warm & tender. Well done, again!
Cozy, warm & tender. Well done, again!
Lynda Robson
like the picture and warm poem, good luck in the competition
like the picture and warm poem, good luck in the competition
MoonLi
Another superb one... feel the warmth in winter!
Another superb one... feel the warmth in winter!
patspoems
Lovely Robyn. Loved the accompanying picture that brought the poem to life.. Good luck...... Pat
Lovely Robyn. Loved the accompanying picture that brought the poem to life.. Good luck...... Pat
Karin Anderson
A brilliant photograph to accompany a cold winter muster. The well deserved cup of hot tea gives the poem a contented feeling of warmth too! Good luck Robyn!
A brilliant photograph to accompany a cold winter muster. The well deserved cup of hot tea gives the poem a contented feeling of warmth too! Good luck Robyn!
Sandra Martyres
another nice entry Robyn..cheers!!
another nice entry Robyn..cheers!!
The beauty of this piece is the image and senses it conjures up so well with a limited amount of words.