New to North Queensland from London we came.
Immigrants we were but what’s in a name?
We ‘Poms’ advised to mind the wildlife;
Told some are ferocious, can lead to strife.
***
There were some nasties we encountered there,
But fleas the ones almost too much to bear;
In London fleas were the cause of much shame -
Mum swore us to secrecy; we were to blame.
***
Happens one day with washing on the line
Mum chats with the neighbor as weather’s fine.
Neighbor makes comment in passing so small:
(Mum still troubled by the disgrace of it all),
“Those bloody fleas are hav’in a ball!”
-
Author:
Doggerel Dave (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: April 5th, 2026 01:06
- Comment from author about the poem: Edge of the bush; dunny (toilet) at other end of yard in 1955. A credit due to Soren – who provided a prompt.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 22
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments7
Those fleas can be a right nuisance Dave.
Andy
Thought it was (little) fly problems, you had, Andy?
A journey worth exploring! It’s a source of endless fascination the uniqueness of many, many stories of calling Australia home. 🙏🏻🕊️
Yeh I've probably still got a couple. Thanks for the support. But do me a favour - go careful; I don't want you to break out with 'Advance Australia Fair' now 😂
I don't know whether to say a fun read or engaging one but a good one none the less. It was note the fleas that were the shame when I was a kid but the lice that got passed on at school and taken home. Everyone terrified that the neighbors would find out and would swear the children to secrecy while they ran to the corner drug store to get medicated shampoo being very careful to see who was looking. The cashier like a priest held the secrets of all. Loved it Dave made me smile
Through experience no lacking in empathy there, Soren. Much thankfulness.
Clever, love it!
Thank you.
Great write
Thanks.
Dave, there’s an easy, conversational rhythm here…moving from identity into experience, then landing on that final moment with the neighbor. It feels real, not forced, and the humor comes through naturally. A good story well told. And yay for Soren in prompting it! Rock on both of you! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thanks for that Tristan, it popped out fairly easily with one or two rough bits. Enjoyed. How are things where you are.....sorry , I\'m not sure I should be asking really...!
It seems everywhere as a unique plague. I didn't know about Australian fleas, but i have heard of people fleeing to Australia. - Phil A.
Cheers, Phil. 'Was 1955; where I am now, an urban sophisticate in the inner city, no flea has had the temerity to venture....... As for the fleeing to Australia, that was our story back then.
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