My Canadian Rellies. Poem by Colleen Wright

My Canadian Rellies.



Some years ago my Dad came to me one day
and asked if with him I would travel far away,
to see his much loved Canadian family,
and that meant a long trip across the sea.

Goodness gracious me, my mother hates travel!
So I had to think, and my mind quickly unravel.
My young children would be safe and well -
if I took a month away from home – I could tell.

So we swiftly had passports found and bags packed
so that in four weeks were ready. It was a matter of fact.
We lost a passport in among our luggage, but 'twas found
when we realized that we must not panic- then all was sound.

Our goodbyes were said as we departed our rural home,
and to the airport we did travel, but not alone,
as my husband at that time, did drive us there.
We departed with thoughts of adventure in the air.

The flight on the 'roo' aeroplane was exciting and long,
between Aussie and Vancouver without dance or song.
Our plane lost a motor somehow, and time was then taken
to replace it before we were too nervous or badly shaken.

Twelve hours were lost as we waited in a hotel suite
to hear from the staff of when we would get a new seat.
We had everything that we could have asked for
from the time we reached the hotel's front door.

Time passed and we received that call
to meet again just down the long hall.
Taken back to the 'plane, we were in a mini bus,
and soon leaving again, was the 'plane - and us.

A few hours later we arrived in Ottawa,
to see our rellies all standing in awe.
The smiles were so wide and joyous to see
as we met again with our long distance family.

Upon our arrival by car to their family home
we were ready to stop and no more to roam.
'Have a bear', I heard someone say,
What would I do with a bear? Play?

The fridge door was opened and out came some 'stubbies'
of brown ale liquid. Dad was happy and said 'Yes, please! '
and they then to me, offered a chilled white wine, -
let me tell you – that did taste good – almost divine.

I noticed something scurrying along their back fence
and asked, 'what was that? ', - I needed some sense.
They laughed until tears ran down their faces
They certainly did have the whole pack of aces.

'A sqwerril' – it sounded like to me,
and for me it was 'something' to see.
Those fluffy squirrels were often around
and it was great that they could be found.

Some shopping we did at the large supermarket store
where we found everything, and much, much more.
The shops at that time were opened all night and day,
I thought how strange it was that they were that way.

Too soon four weeks passed – yes, it just flew
as we once again learned of each other - to renew
our acquaintances and share stories and laughs
of the previous twenty five years, re-walk paths.

Now Trishie, Bill, Marianne, Rowley, Andrea and Jeannie,
cried with us when we left Canada's, mountains and greenery.
We had a fabulous trip to see their beautiful land,
and Quebec too was interesting, and rather grand.

Now at times our rellies do fly to our land - [of the the kangaroo,
and koala, ] - and it's out turn to give them an Aussie beer or two.
They enjoy our fine wines and our country's warmth
and again we swap stories and laugh with much mirth.

They are not too fussed about our Vegemite
or our sea's risky rips, to them, not a delight.
Not matter what, they do love us all very, very much -
It's because we do have the Green and Gold touch.

Colleen Wright. © 21.07.2006

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Colleen Wright

Colleen Wright

Central west of New South Wales, Australia.
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