Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DUFF, by DAVID MCKEE WRIGHT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DUFF, by                    
First Line: It was on a sunday morning, the church was far away
Last Line: "and fast enough."
Subject(s): Cooking & Cooks; Death; Drinks & Drinking; Food & Eating; Dead, The; Wine


IT was on a Sunday morning, the church was far away,
They used to keep the Sabbath in their own up-country way—
They washed their clothes and darned their socks and smoked a lot all day.
Says Jack McKay to Billy Barnes—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"I'II cook the spuds and roast the meat and make a drink of tea,
And you can build a duff!"
"All right, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

It was a warmish kind of day, the fire was brightish too;
He minced the suet very fine and shoved the currants through
According to a recipe that told him what to do.
Says Billy Barnes to Jack McKay—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"This'll be something like a feed, and you. can trust to me
For something like a duff!"
"All right, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

The spuds and meat were nicely done, the billy tea was made,
With plates and bright tin pannikins the whisky-case was laid—
They should have left that duff alone to them that's learned their trade.
Says Jack McKay to Billy Barnes—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"That pot's been boiling long enough, just hook him off and see
How goes the blooming duff?"
"All right, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

They got the pot hooked off the fire, they looked with curious eyes
As from the vessel's sooty rim they saw the monster rise—
Whatever else was wrong with it they must respect its size.
Says Billy Barnes to Jack McKay—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"It's pretty heavy on my arm, but just you wait and see—
It's me can build a duff!"
"All right, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

They cut the string that bound the cloth and let the wonder go;
It didn't jump about like mad nor yet begin to flow,
As other duffs are known to do, but just lay smiling low.
Says Jack McKay to Billy Barnes—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"It looks about as rum a thing as ever yet I see;
Still—I suppose it's duff!"
"You bet, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

They let it stand a little while and tackled on the meat,
With just a stray look now and then to see it kept its seat—
They both were half afraid of it, but neither would be beat.
Says Billy Barnes to Jack McKay—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"Let's cut the rummy thing in half and tackle some and see
If it is a blooming duff."
"All right, old mate," says he.
"And good enough."

It tasted something like a stew of sweepings of a store—
Tobacco, nutmeg, candles, glue, and flavourings galore—
So wonderful a kind of taste was never known before!
Says Jack McKay to Billy Barnes—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"The flavour of this blooming thing can't well be drowned in tea—
Let's leave the blooming duff!"
"All right, old mate," says he,
"And good enough."

That evening from a lonely pub the two mates started back,
The creeks were roaring pretty high along the barren track,
They'd had a lot of whisky hot, the night was pretty black!
Says Billy Barnes to Jack McKay—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"The creek and river's up a bit and hanged if I can see—
It's all that blooming duff."
"Hold up, old mate," says he,
"You're right enough."

They reached the river rolling wide, they had to wade the stream,
And spite of all the whisky it was colder than ice-cream;
And Bill was thinking as he went the duff would make him dream.
Says Jack McKay to Billy Barnes—"Look here, old mate," says he,
"I'm sinking in a blooming hole, you'd best let go of me—
It's all that cursed duff!"
"I'm sinking too," says he,
"And fast enough."





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