"Traditions Unkept"
In the clash of cicadas at dusk
we once gathered on the back verandah—
barbie coals glowing, an old Holden
parked beneath the gum,
an esky brimming with lemon barley
and Mum’s Vegemite toast
at three in the arvo.
Our ritual: weak tea in chipped china,
shared slices from the tin on the sill,
then a slow wander to Murno’s corner shop
for a couple of lollies before the sun finally dipped.
Now the barbie stands silent,
the Holden worn and gathering dust,
the esky empty of clink and chatter,
and Murno’s windows boarded tight.
I feel the gap in those weathered boards,
the hollow where laughter used to spill,
when time stood still for toast and tea—
a nailed pause that now slips past fingers.
.
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Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 9th, 2026 05:21
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 20
- Users favorite of this poem: Kevin Hulme, sorenbarrett
Offline)
Comments7
much enjoyed write my friend
Thank you dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
most welcome
Yes. I really liked this. Brought back Memories of my own Youth with People and Places long gone . And these Memories grow more Golden with age.
NB. Had to Google: Esky. 🤔 A fave and good Write.
Chill bin? Cooler? Icebox... it's been called so many things. Thanks so much 🙏🏻🕊️
'No Worries' as you'd say. 👍
Good write A.
This is beautifully bittersweet, Rik. Every lived-in detail builds a world of family and belonging, then the emptiness settles in where all that life once gathered. I felt this one deeply, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
So much dust on faded photos. A lovely write Cryptic this poem bleeds with nostalgia and I feel it. Simply lovely
Takes me back yonks mate .. I could near taste & smell the wintergreen, boot polish & old holburn .. kinda happy sad really .. thank you I needed that .. Neville
So many references raised so many memories - particularly your first stanza. Many thanks, Rik.
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