"Eight Days in a Gum‑Leaf Blur"
Monday tripped in, trackies still on,
mug of tea we swore was “brekkie” —
though Tim Tams counted too.
By Tuesday the kookaburras laughed at our to‑do list.
We laughed back, half because we’d done none of it,
half ’cos they nicked the dog’s bickie.
Wednesday… or maybe Thursday — the footy was on,
and someone burnt the snags debating
whether winter was actually over.
Friday arvo snuck past
like a roo through long grass —
then WHACK, Saturday hit,
bin night forgotten, again.
And Sunday?
Still August,
still us —
holding onto cuppas
and pretending Monday won’t notice.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 16th, 2025 04:42
- Comment from author about the poem: Eight Days in a Gum‑Leaf Blur — Standard English Version Monday stumbled in, sweatpants still on, a mug of tea we insisted was “breakfast” — though chocolate biscuits counted too. By Tuesday, the kookaburras were laughing at our to‑do list. We laughed back, partly because we hadn’t done a thing, partly because they stole the dog’s biscuit. Wednesday… or maybe Thursday — the football was on, and someone burned the sausages while debating if winter was really over. Friday afternoon slipped by like a kangaroo through tall grass — then BAM, Saturday arrived, trash night forgotten, again. And Sunday? Still August, still us — clutching our mugs of tea and pretending Monday won’t notice.
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- Views: 17
- Users favorite of this poem: Bella Shepard, Cheeky Missy
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Comments11
This one tastes Australian and though I got many of the colloquial meanings some were missed and left me an outsider looking in. It felt warm and inviting but the door was looked. Quaint and lovely Cryptic loved the wording.
Sorry about that, let’s pull out a translation:
Eight Days in a Gum‑Leaf Blur — Standard English Version
Monday stumbled in, sweatpants still on, a mug of tea we insisted was “breakfast” — though chocolate biscuits counted too.
By Tuesday, the kookaburras were laughing at our to‑do list. We laughed back, partly because we hadn’t done a thing, partly because they stole the dog’s biscuit.
Wednesday… or maybe Thursday — the football was on, and someone burned the sausages while debating if winter was really over.
Friday afternoon slipped by like a kangaroo through tall grass — then BAM, Saturday arrived, trash night forgotten, again.
And Sunday? Still August, still us — clutching our mugs of tea and pretending Monday won’t notice.
Got most of it from before but this adds to the flow and flavor of the poem. It speaks of not only of daily and weekly habits but the passing of time in its cycles and life as well. It has such a homsy feel to it as if time moves but at the same time stands still. Loved it Cryptic and thanks for the definitional help.
No worries. We share a common language that has uncommon features and usage. G. Bernard Shaw says all in My Fair Lady.🕊️🙏🏻
The kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, or something like that! Rik, this one is cheeky and vivid (as I hope my first sentence landed 🤣) week’s rhythm painted with Aussie flavor, humor and charm, mate. The ending shrug lands perfectly, imho. Loved it, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️
That's a fun song as well! Glad you liked🙏🏻🕊️
Totally! First thing that came to mind! Very much did, my friend!
It’s a very ‘soothing’ song; have to dig deep to find out why, lol!
LOL! I hear you...those deep dives might produce more kookaburra poems though, and that cannot be a bad thing imho!
Am thankful to the author's additional notes, which made it much clearer for me.an interesting and entertaining read with a large splattering of Australian humour, enjoyed the read
Well we have Soren to thank for reminding me to include the standard English version🕊️🙏🏻 it was such a busy day and the post was initially kinda slipshod 🙏🏻🕊️
Did a google search and found "gum-leaf" (eucalyptus), which must have some interesting properties, if that was in your tea. A delightful romp through each day. Such a fun poem, definitely had me smiling all the way.
Thanks dear Bella, a fun offering on the weekend was the aim, a tradition started by Poetic Licence which I have decided to try to keep as far as can be achieved 🕊️🙏🏻
Thanks for the Fave @Bella S. 🤩
Gum-Leaf, gum tree refer to the eucalyptus family of trees. Thanks Bella Shepard for pointing that out.
…under half but struggling… a very curious state to be in
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be!
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop, Kookaburra, Stop, Kookaburra
Leave some there for me.
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Counting all the monkeys he can see
Stop, Kookaburra, Stop, Kookaburra,
That's no monkey, that's me.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Wow! Just WOW. I...I am so happily taken off to other realms hereby, tickled with the suggestion and enthralled, I don't know how to answer. Awesome! I love, love, LOVE this!!! Exquisitely rendered with exceptional imagery and a waltzing poignancy, thank you so very, very much for sharing!
How extraordinarily Antipodean .. Love it .. becuz it took me way back .. to when I dabbled & the whole world was different .. way different .. it used to be easy to lose a week .. but then who cared .. if I remember writely, we probably cared more if we didn't .. Neville
Those were the days indeed!
Good, day, arqios,
What a delightful passage of poetry - so entertaining with delicious quirky bits throughout the week. Lovely, truly lovely.
Fond regards,
Tony.
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