Ozzie Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 As suggested by Micheal for May, but beaten by a pip, with the Estaminet. When ever the word letter is mentioned in poetry or such, I immediately think of this. (Warning Not WW1) but.....) http://www.wallisandmatilda.com.au/clancy-...-overflow.shtml I have their CD on which they have recorded Banjo's poems in song, bloody brilliant!!! (Especially Man From Snowy River. and http://www.wallisandmatilda.com.au/the-last-parade.shtml Although written for the Boer War, it aptly fits WW1. Have a listen to some of the clips, second thoughts not very long to get the full measure of the depth of what they do. And just for fun, ??? http://www.wallisandmatilda.com.au/geebung-polo-club.shtml Ten on the nose, Squirrel's first, (pays to be at the track early). Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Here is my take on the Letter: The Letter My dearest Mama, For the parcel you sent me last time I'm putting my thanks down in rhyme. The cake was divine, The coffee sublime And the chocolate, though broken, was fine. The tinned goods they do hit the spot When we add the contents to the pot. For a meal when it's hot Shared with friends that I've got Really sets us all up for the next plot. The HP's one hell of a sauce, And enlivens the blandest main course. The pickles perforce Are a splendid resource When the fare is just biscuit and corned horse! The fly in the ointment my dear Was the fruit which survived not I fear. For the parcel came here With a crushed corner bare And the remains quite inedible. There, there! For the socks and the hankies thank Dawn And young Charles for the cartoon he'd drawn. Auntie May for tinned prawn And Papa for the yarn In his long rambling letter from Eastbourne. Please send out cigarettes and tobacco! For the lack of them makes us all whacko! But before we light up, Oh! There's one thing we need, So! Remember the matches old thing-O! With fondest love and regards to all etc., yours ever.....................somewhere in France. You will note that I have mentioned next months' topic as well! Tony Nutkins June 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Love it Mate. Made me smile!!! Actually , grin, laugh, Well done! Very clever! And so , you suggest Somewhere in France??? Going behind the bar to collect the winnings. Ever heard of Fine Cotton?? Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Thanks Kim - just thought I would take a slightly different approach on this month's topic. Next round's on you then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Sven, that man in Arm's chair at the fire, take him a large whatever he wants!!! Sven, no, not that!!! What he wants, not what you want!!! Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Cheers my dear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 A classic wartime letter. I'm not sure whether this will be cross-posted to the John and Marie Blog or not. Toronto August 21, 1916 Dear John By the time you receive this, I will be Mrs. Peggy Short. Yes, my dear, I'm marrying someone else. He's a brush salesman that I've been seeing since you left for France. George is in love with me, and will take care of me. I'm afraid I had no desire to be a widow before I had a chance to enjoy marriage. You charged off and enlisted without even talking to me - that was how much you loved me. Don't talk to me about duty and patriotism. Duty and patriotism won't feed you, clothe you, and keep you warm. Still, I wish you well, and hope you return safely. Yours truly, Peggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Micheal....OUCH! Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 Yes, the classic "Dear John" letter. Speaking of which, I've always liked this BASF commercial: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 4 June , 2009 Share Posted 4 June , 2009 October 1914 My dearest mother, Being your oldest son I know you are going to be worried but please don't be, I will be home soon, you watch! Everyone is nice over here lining the streets, handing out bread and cheese as we pass. Let everyone know at home that we arrived safe please, and give them all our love, we miss the little ones laughter especially on the cold nights. George fell over on the march yesterday and twisted his ankle you should have heard him scream, we thought he had been hit by a bullet. When we eventually got him up the Sarge told him not to be such a wet lettuce and walk on, he wanted to ride on the wagon but he wasn't allowed. I am now in charge of a small group of men and we are on watch quite often, so think of me when you say prayers tonight as it might be our turn again. Unless we have some rum we know we are not going over the top and in the last few days we had none and nothing seems to be coming our way soon, so there is another reason not to worry about me. Massive Harry sends his love to you and Dad and hopes you are well and thanks you for looking after him before we left, in fact his uniform was quite tight for a few weeks and all because of the food you gave him! Well Mum I must go now, its nearly time to go on watch, look after Dad and Charlie and yourself of course and I will see you at Christmas, when this war is over. Love and hugs to you all Your eldest Son, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 Welll done Mandy, clever way around the censor! I like the images you have conjured up. Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salesie Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 Now that I've "paid my dues" to the collective forum society, I'll make an offering to this month's thread. An old piece of mine that I think fits this month's theme - if a telegram rates the same as a letter that is? Cheers-salesie. Lost Any news of Tommy? Just this telegram! All brown and neat but oh so black. They seem to forget that I’m his Mam. Handed to me by that post-boy Sam, Knocked on our door, peddled down the track. Any news of Tommy? Just this telegram! Came over all faint, had to lean on the jamb, When stuck in my hand from out of his sack. They seem to forget that I’m his Mam. Perhaps he’s not dead, led like a poor lamb, Only bloodied in a small attack? Any news of Tommy? Just this telegram! Tore off the edge, hope shored the dam. A few polite lines; he’s never coming back. They seem to forget that I’m his Mam. Down to the floor, my head just swam. “Oh, Mrs Atkins! I’ll run and get Jack.” Any news of Tommy? Just this telegram! They seem to forget that I’m his Mam. © John Sales 2002. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericthornton Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 John, great stuff.... A moving poem. The repetition works perfectly to capture the love and despair of the mother. thanks, ET Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 Nice piece John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 Once again the month has started with a flourish! Squirrel I was sneaking a look while I was at work. Your poem should've come with a laugh-ometer warning - I laughed out loud! The HP's one hell of a sauce.... biscuit and corned horse... has to be my favourite verse, but they are all great fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 Michael, I think I'd like to see that letter in John and Marie's Blog. John didn't know what real love was until he met Marie. What if he'd felt obligated to Peggy when he met Marie and therefore wasn't a free man? It's important we see that she released him. Well, just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 5 June , 2009 Share Posted 5 June , 2009 That's a very clever letter Mandy, and just the sort of news a mother would love to hear too. I like the reminder that they thought the war would be over by Christmas! salesie, you've reminded us of the other sort of letter a mother could receive; so very different from Squirrel and Mandy's. All brown and neat but oh so black says it all, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 6 June , 2009 Share Posted 6 June , 2009 Michael, I think I'd like to see that letter in John and Marie's Blog. John didn't know what real love was until he met Marie. What if he'd felt obligated to Peggy when he met Marie and therefore wasn't a free man? It's important we see that she released him. Well, just my thoughts. Point taken. Nowappearing in an expanded form as Post 1A (to keep chronological order). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres1418 Posted 6 June , 2009 Share Posted 6 June , 2009 the telegram gave me goose bumps, very well done, and thanks for the reviews Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 6 June , 2009 Share Posted 6 June , 2009 Oh what a start.... Squirrel capturing the wry humour of the Tommy Brilliantly Michael efficient in words but no less effective with a shocking letter I felt the cold that mustve come over the poor recipient Mandy making a welcome return to MGWAT with a clever and very authentic piece Salesie with a well crafted poem that yet gain pushes all the right buttons This one has flown....lets have more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landsturm Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 " Don't worry, Mum. It's not that bad in here... " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex falbo Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Some very interesting letters. Landsturm, that is such a haunting piece. You've really captured the essence of the 1917 condition. Its so human words fail. It actually looks like it was done by a veteran of the War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Well done everybody - cracking entries this month and thank you for your kind comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gheluvelt Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Hi all, I hope this is of interest (and hope it qualifies !). It is a copy of a letter my Grandfather wrote home in 1914, just after Polygon Wood, and prior to Gheluvelt. It made it into a publication by Lysaght's Steelworks - Letters from the Front, written by employees. Regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex falbo Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Well done everybody - cracking entries this month and thank you for your kind comments. Yes indeed! Thanks Mike for sharing your Grandad's voice. It was a pleasure to read. Lest we Forget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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