Gumnuts (Photograph)‘Grading Gumnuts’ by David Watt The Society September 14, 2017 Children's, Humor, Poetry 4 Comments One afternoon, ‘neath forest tall, where Sunlight dons disguise, I saw a sight few people see (unless they’re telling lies); For under Swamp Mahogany there stood attired in green, An amusing little fellow, spouting phrases coarse, obscene. I asked him, “Sir, what ails you? Why curse when all around, the scent Of Eucalyptus, fair sight of blossoms bold, improves the bent Of others, eliciting from lips, praises, sweeter phrases Than those you cast abrasively ‘til Nature’s grace erases?” Though surprised to see me, he told of his lament. “The Breeze’s Careless bluster has muddle-mixed my gumnuts by her sneezes! Since sun arose this morning, beneath lowest branches wild, I’ve been picking, grading, gumnuts into piles: ‘Bush Blend’ and ‘Mild!’ How can a gnome make coffee without gumnuts freshly grounded? It’s cause enough to stir the tongue of one whose plans have foundered! ” So naturally, I lent a hand – although the task was tricky; And together we re-sorted gumnuts, mild first, then sticky. Then to my great amusement, using hobnailed boots to pound, He danced a jig upon the nuts until each pile was ground. Contented, and with kinder words than formerly he’d muttered, He poured two mugs of ‘Bush Blend’ – in between sips, this he uttered: “Here’s a toast to kindly strangers, courtesy of Gumnut Mick. I may be on the short side, but with hobnailed boots I’m quick; And though not quite Arabica and often prone to bluster, My brew’s infused with bloom of spring from Eucalypt robusta.” Next time you’re drinking coffee, spare a tender thought for Mick; A connoisseur of little means, resorting to a trick, Of clever substitution, wrought by dancing, gnomish blending – Barista of the Aussie Bush, elusive, worth befriending! David Watt is a writer from Canberra, the “Bush Capital” of Australia. He has contributed regularly to Collections of Poetry and Prose by Robin Barratt. When not working for IP (Intellectual Property) Australia, he finds time to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of traditional rhyming poetry. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 4 Responses David Hollywood September 16, 2017 Dear David, I smiled the whole way through this, and find I am still enjoying the sentiment of the humour. This is a wonderful breach from having to consider the world as it otherwise is, and thank you dearly for the smile – which is still there! Reply David Watt September 16, 2017 Thank you David. The world is a very serious place these days, and I believe we need an element of lighthearted humour. Reply Satyananda Sarangi September 17, 2017 Hello David Sir, greetings! The poem’s flow and the story in it is impeccable. The truth is that when around us, we see an atmosphere, grim and serious, your poem acts as some anodyne with its humour. Warm Regards Reply David Watt September 17, 2017 Thank you Satyananda for your kind comments. I am glad you enjoyed the humour of this poem/story. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
David Hollywood September 16, 2017 Dear David, I smiled the whole way through this, and find I am still enjoying the sentiment of the humour. This is a wonderful breach from having to consider the world as it otherwise is, and thank you dearly for the smile – which is still there! Reply
David Watt September 16, 2017 Thank you David. The world is a very serious place these days, and I believe we need an element of lighthearted humour. Reply
Satyananda Sarangi September 17, 2017 Hello David Sir, greetings! The poem’s flow and the story in it is impeccable. The truth is that when around us, we see an atmosphere, grim and serious, your poem acts as some anodyne with its humour. Warm Regards Reply
David Watt September 17, 2017 Thank you Satyananda for your kind comments. I am glad you enjoyed the humour of this poem/story. Reply