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C J Dennis - The Bush Veteran
Work rating: Low

Old Pete Parraday, he toddles up the road,
"Dangin`" things and "darn in`" things and hefting of his load
   For yesterday was pension day, Peter has his goods:
   Butcher`s meat and groceries and all sorts of foods;
A bit of plug "tobaker" and a tin of "jelly Jam,"
"Termatter" sauce and yellow soap, a knuckle-end of ham,
   And a little flask of "special stuff" discreetly tucked away.
   "I takes it for me rheumatiz," says Peter Parraday.

Old Pete Parraday, he lives all on his own.
People say he`s getting old and shouldn`t be alone.
   They talk of institutions where he`d have most kindly care.
   "Wot?  Me?" says Peter Parraday.  "An` wot would I do there?
Lose me independence, an` be `umble when they scold,
Eat an` sleep an` dress an` smoke just when an` how I`m told?
   Shove ME in an Old Man`s `Ome to rust me life away?
   I`d like to see `em try it on!" says Peter Parraday.

Old Pete Parraday has little time to spare
For a bush hut and a garden are a common source of care.
   There`s wood to cut and meals to cook -- a thousand things to plan
   In the little kitchen-garden that "do fair absorb a man."
Green peas and radishes, brussels sprouts and beans,
Silver beet and lettuces -- all sorts of green.
   "Waterin` an` weedin` `em, the hours they melts away,
   An` days ain`t halfways long enough," says Peter Parraday.

Old Peter Parraday, he sits beside his door
To smoke a pipe at day`s-end when fussy toil is o`er.
   `This world it changes fast like," says he, "as time drifts by;
   For old days was easy days when I was young an` spry;
An` cash was easy come by, with fortunes flowin` free,
An` many a man growed wealthy wot toed the mark with me.
   But me?  I seemed to miss the bus.  Fair lost me chance, ses they,
   Yet that don`t seem to grieve me some," grins Peter Parraday.
Source
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