Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JOHNNY, by FRANK WILMOT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOHNNY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: By chance I heard some person say
Last Line: How you and yours fared in the burn.
Alternate Author Name(s): Maurice, Furnley
Subject(s): Fire


BY chance I heard some person say
'The fire went through the Spur to-day!'
This information called a pause
Upon the daily round, because
About a week before this flare
I met a Kookaburra there.
He had deep laughter in his eyes,
And he was fearless, friendly, wise.

Once I was over-joyed to find
A little dish of bacon-rind.
He met me with it by the fence
And his excitement was intense.
He ate my imitation worms
Most gratefully, but missed the squirms.
Some folk may doubt that, but I know;
We understood each other so!

That he was married I had proof
Although his people kept aloof.
I know; for oft his features took
That puzzled, married sort of look.
His lady trusted her home-tree
More than she ever trusted me.

And when they said the fire was through
It seemed the only thing to do
To take a car that very night
And learn if Johnny was alright;
And in the blackened copse we shared,
To ask him how the twins had fared.
But though it seems I really should
I fear it wouldn't do much good.

Alas! The post he laughed upon,
The stumps and woodshed all are gone.
My house and his delightful crib
All ashes like a penny squib!
I feel that something should be done
But can't think of a thing, not one.

The Spring is coming round and then
We may meet on the Spur again.
But, Johnny, I would love to learn
How you and yours fared in the burn.





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