Views in Verse on 'the great Aussie bloke'

I was luckier than most, I had two fathers who fashioned my life. Jack, whom I lost some time back now, and my Uncle Les who only left us sadly in this past year. They, and many other men of the post-war generation who inspired me with their forthright ways, were the roots of this poem. 'Happy Australia Day' to all of us (our gift from them). They selflessly made us who we are! We should remember them well in celebration of where we find ourselves today.

The Great Aussie Bloke

He's been the lovable larrikin
The butt of many a joke
For he speaks his mind right at you
plain speaking kind of folk
To get a true likeness of him though...
the painter would need few stokes
For straight up and down 
just as you find him
is the great Aussie bloke:

Give him a field
He'll raze it clean 
In just a given day
Give him a bar 
he'll fill it with fun 
At his regular pay
Open his eyes 
to a worthy cause
He'll move 
without delay 
Yet introduce him 
to a worthy miss
He'll quietly shrink and choke...
Not much with his softer side
The great Aussie bloke

The 'engine's always running'
He's 'chatty' and forthright
A friend in need...? 
He'll turn up ready
to help him with his plight
Injustice found?
In his own way
He'll defend the given right
A time of darkness...?
he'll be there too
to raise his sleeves to fight...
Then without words
he'll tip his hat.... and
slowly roll a smoke...
Straight up and down
Just as you find him
He's the ...great ...Aussie ...bloke

Forwarded from my I-phone Grahame J Flynn Views in Verse