AusStar• Show poetry

I've always enjoyed reading poetry and have dabbled in it myself when very young. At 10, in an attempt to purge the resentment and anger I felt at the girl next door who happened to tease me rather a lot, I wrote a poem which was rather exceptional for a 10 year old. My father found it and kept it for posterity. He brings it out to embarrass me with it every now and then.

Not long after that my parent bought a record (remember those) of the very talented British poet Pam Ayres, who's humorous poetry I'll love until the day I die. At 21 I started dating a handsome young chap and where did I take him shortly after our relationship commenced? not to a concert by the most popular rock band of the day, but a Pam Ayres recital at the Perth Concert Hall. I was the youngest there by about 20 years. I sometimes wonder why I feel like I have never grown up, but I think it was because I was born an adult.

I was always the 'poem girl', and at any public function that required amateur performance, there was me reciting one poem or another.

The bravest animals in the land
Are Captain Beaky and his band
Thats timid toad, reckless rat
Artful Owl and Batty Bat
March through the woodlands singing songs
that show how they know right from wrong
etc etc

I still know all the words......

My other greatest poetic love is Banjo Patterson and his most dear poem to me is "As long as your eyes are blue" I believe I can write it here as its old enough that no copyright is in place, if I am wrong please let me know.

As Long As Your Eyes Are Blue

Wilt thou love me, sweet, when my hair is grey
And my cheeks shall have lost their hue?
When the charms of youth shall have passed away,
Will your love as of old prove true?

For the looks may change, and the heart may range,
And the love be no longer fond;
Wilt thou love with truth in the years of youth
And away to the years beyond?

Oh, I love you, sweet, for your locks of brown
And the blush on your cheek that lies --
But I love you most for the kindly heart
That I see in your sweet blue eyes.

For the eyes are signs of the soul within,
Of the heart that is leal and true,
And mine own sweetheart, I shall love you still,
Just as long as your eyes are blue.

For the locks may bleach, and the cheeks of peach
May be reft of their golden hue;
But mine own sweetheart, I shall love you still,
Just as long as your eyes are blue.

I challenge anyone in this world to write a poem more beautiful than this

I have over the years put pen to paper to write bits and pieces here and there, but life has been busy and I never knew there was sites such as these! But, I've found it now (thank you Mark) and I'm more inspired than I have ever been. I'm very excited about the prospect of exploring my poetic ability further, so excited in fact, I think I'll write a poem about it.