a poem by Ron Strahan on the occasion of my marriage to Fiona Strahan
When first we met Fiona's mate,
We thought he was an urban bloke,
Content to strive from nine to five
Beneath the city's grinding yoke.
We did not realise that his
Ambition took a different track -
That underneath that business suit
There dwelt Korweinguboora Jack.
Once settled in their country seat,
Jack looked around the place with glee
And, nails and hammer in his hand
Embarked on serious carpentry,
Installing crooked windows in
A very crooked miner's shack.
Enthusiastic craftsman is
The famed Korweinguboora Jack.
To his delight, there was a dam
That, in the rainy season, fills.
With pipes and stopcocks, pumps and such,
He practiced his hydraulic skills
To move the water in and out,
Upwards, sideways, fore and back,
By systems understood by none
Except Korweinguboora Jack.
Fiona planted flower beds
And Jack dug holes for countless trees.
The wallabies and possums found
It very nice to chomp on these.
But, thanks to compost made in tons,
The trees are slowly fighting back,
With tender care that's lavished by
The kind Korweinguboora Jack.
When men with chainsaws congregate
And Wombat Forest's under threat
From chaps intent on making chips,
No vandaliser should forget
That public protest will ensue,
With banners bold in red and black.
And in the forefront of the push,
Beware Korweinguboora Jack!
Not all is labour, sometimes he
Relaxes on a short vacation,
To take Fiona skiing or
Some other form of recreation.
Remember when he won renown
By getting off to have a crack
At paddling kayaks upside-down?
(Reversed Korweinguboora Jack!)
We very heartily approve
Of Jack as future son-in-law.
We like his attitudes, beliefs
And style. We reckon, furthermore,
He is, unto the manner born,
A fitting partner for a Strahan.
We think he's on the proper track:
We love Korweinguboora Jack.
Here's to the future that he's building:
A lily, he, that needs no gilding!
R.S. 15.6.96
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Last updated: 29 December 1997
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