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Wednesday, 26 September 2018

Poem - Kenneth Slessor


Goin’
By Kenneth Slessor


Ain’t I got no hope, Nurse? Garn, tell a feller straight!
I’d jest as soon be goin’ now I ‘aven’t got me mate.
The doctor bloke, I bet ‘e knows,
‘Nd if ‘e says I goes, I goes…
The other went at Anzac, ‘nd I kinder guess I’m late.

But, tell us honest, Miss, ain’t y’ never some time been
‘Round Sydney, down Australia way – what! ain’t y’ never seen
The buildings, harbours, steamers, all
The places where the ferries call –
Manly! Mosman! Middle ‘Arbour! Them’s the ones I mean.

Manly! Gawd, it fairly makes me funny in the throat –
The kiddies! ‘Nd bananas! ‘Nd the music on the boat!
The ferries flitting all about –
They cock-a-doodledooed us out…
Fort Denison! It seemed to smile that day we went afloat.

Old Sydney never was so good as on that sunny day –
Aw…I’m getting’ sentimental…an’ the light is goin’ grey…
That’s the surf at Manly drummin’…
Hold on, cobber, I am comin’…
Well, so long, nurse…I must be a-getting’…on…my way.

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