We were workin out near Baradine, well, it's the nearest town,
New building on a property where their old shed was blown down.
Our campsite wasn't all that far from the owners home,
We got our water from the tap near a garden gnome.
A boxwood hedge was the fence, a gate allowed us through.
That was where it happened, I tell you, it's all true.
Tommy walked up to the gate, full water pail in hand.
The dance he had with a snake was fun from where I stand.
Tom went left, the snake went left, Tom then went right,
Doing the hokey pokey in the soft evening light.
Tom leaped around the gateway, gave me a mighty thrill
It may sound amazing but, no water did he spill.
The story should have ended when the snake went on its way,
But Tommy looked for fang marks nearly all next day.
Now, we know that our snakes leave poison when they bite
You get treatment quickly or you may not survive the night.
So Tommy was not bitten in that most ungraceful dance,
And that snake living happily , may get another chance.
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Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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wonderful... and lucky Tommy, but I too would be checking for bites all day... what a wonderful little tale, brought a smile and a giggle to me, can just imagine Tommy dancing his jig.
Cheers
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You don't realise just how funny it looks to someone else who is not dodgeing the snake until you actually see it. Mind you, it's no joke when you are doing the dodgeing i am glad you ahd a chuckle with this one, it was funny.
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Oh my...
Such a picture you paint, the lovely scenery, everything as normal and as natural as could be until, until along comes a snake and Tommy does the hokey pokey, which by the by, we call the oakie cokie, thankyou for another smile, the title is neat and the last couplet sums it up well!
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I often think of those few days after the snake episode. Poor tom thought every pin prick from burrs and such was a snake bite. Took him a couple of days to get over the shock. I'm glad you had a smile about the Snake Dance, it was funny to watch.
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A good snake poem here, I enjoyed the read and could picture the dance. Well written, wry humour.
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from my vantage point this was a hilarious sight to see. However, from Tommy's point of view it was frightening and dangerous. Nearest help was at least two hours away.
We have laughed about it many times since the event. many thanks for your input.
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I see you work to apply Henry Kendall's lessons!
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I was introduced to Henry Kendall's poetry in 1938, when I started primary school and I have never forgotten that poem "Bellbirds". It is quite well known here in Aussie and has stood the test of time. All of us who write poetry would be pleased if we could be sure we will be remembered long after we have gone, by the poetry we leave behind. i always try to have some music in my poetry, as well as the normal requirements.
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hahaha! Soooo good and funny. I can just picture this snake dance and the whole secnario you describe so well. My favourite line was "But Tommy looked for fang marks nearly all next day." lol. hmmm, I hate snakes though, glad it wasn't me getting that pail of water! I'm definately no Jill (as in Jack n Jill) and I also definately no Jillaroo either! lol great write...alby
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Alby, it was funny to watch and I understood Tommy looking for fang marks all the next day. We were working in long grass with lots of burrs and although the snake didn't actually strike during the dance, Tommy was sure he was bitten. He found a dozen burr marks next day, sure in his own mind that they were fang marks. He is still very much alive today, so I guess the marks were only burrs after all.
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Ahhhh...I can laugh when it didn't happen to me 
I can imagine this would have made a pretty funny sight for you as the onlooker 
Great story told in your usual wonderful form. Great rhyme and flow 
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Even when it does happen to yourself, hindsight makes it a funny experience as long as you are not bitten, Many thanks Julie, I like hearing from you.
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Snakes
.. scared of them! Glad he didn't get bitten
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I have lived in snake infested areas all my life and have had many an altercation with them, I still jump out of my skin when I come on one unexpectedly. Even so, I never kill one unless I am forced to. Everything has a right to it's life.
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Great read Bob. Yes, one can be pretty light on his feet when a snake's around!
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You would know a little about snakes. Being an Aussie you would know they are everywhere. Living in rural areas most of my life I have met many but still get a bit of a scare when up close with one.
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Hey Bob
Lol you do come up with some amusing little stories my friend. This one allows the reader to see the entire scene. Poor Tommy. I hope he did not pee his pants.
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No wet pants this time, just some amazing antics as each tried to avoid the other.
Most snakes just want to leave when confronted by a human. many thanks for your comment and pleased you has a chuckle.
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