GOANNA

Goanna she sits and waits on the shore
She bum she faced to the waves
She feet she would paddle
Where ducks dib and dabble
But she’d rather be out on the waves.

She awkward and clumsy upon the shore
So she sit in the shade of a big leafy tree
She 40 foot long from she tail to she nose
She weight it bears down, hard, on she toes
She glad to sit down by the trunk of the tree.

Goanna she goes on the water with stealth
She glides smooth and quiet in the brilliant sunlight
She body she moves like an alighting pelican
Dancing on water, then up on wingspan
She be contented on water, and daydreams in sunlight.

Goanna she hears her name called out loud
She ears hear the call, carried along on the wind
‘Go Anna’ the call, she goes faster she seems
‘Go Anna’ the call, from the shore it still beams
She glides and she smiles, she goes like the wind.

Goanna, she pink belly she swells up with pride
She be like a new duckling – all fluffy and nice
But she mighty tough and she mighty strong
Don’t think that she weak , she will prove you quite wrong
Goanna, Goanna…..

by Robyne Kellett

Dec 2005

Carol sat viewing some photos one day
Who was this girl, featured, in many a way?
Long flowing hair and body so lean
So long ago now, seems just like a dream.

Her family has grown, from the nest they have flown
She’s tired of her life and from being alone.
Her fantasy dreaming while having some tea
Has her slim and attractive, full of vitality.

The neighbours then noticed a change of routine
They gathered and gossiped “what could this mean?”
She smiled to herself “if only you knew”
An amazing surprise you’d find greeting you!

Into her car she’d glide with a smile
A large bag beside her, she’ll just be a while.
“There you go, Woody” she’d pat at the bag
The neighbours ears flapping and tongues set to wag.

They noticed she’d always come back with a grin
Looking tired but glowing.. their minds all aspin.
Some husbands are saying she’s now quite a dish
And they are all puzzling – what folly is this?

Confronted one day on her lawn by the car
“What’s this that you’re up to, we’ve watched from afar.
Who is this Woody, and what has he got
He’s given your life an AMAZING shot.

She looked at them puzzled and realized at last
Together they’d spied, for some months now past
Tongues that had nothing better to do
Than have her cavorting with WOODY WHO?

Now ladies it seems I’ve caused some alarm
My activities are not causing a harm.
Here is the reason your tongues all did tattle
Meet “Woody” the Hi Performance Dragon Boat Paddle.

We’re a team she explained, to the neighbours she’s boasting
Woody and I, go regularly boating
It’ s changed my life as you’ve plainly seen
A romance of sorts with a dragon boat team.

January 2004

My Lovely Wife

I was in watching telly the other day
When in walked the wife in her usual way
She had in her hand a pamphlet of  sorts
Which she handed to me and asked me my thoughts
"What do you think, love, should I give it a try?
Or do you think that I should just let it go by?"

I looked at the paper and scratched at my head -
A dragonboat paddler was what it had said.
I wondered about it and stroked at my chin,
"And what is a dragonboat, love, to begin?"
Being a spectator sportsman inside,
Not knowing about it put a dent in my pride.

"It's a boat that you paddle, two on a seat"
She said that her friend had started last week,
They needed more to make up the crew
"No talent required, just bring along you."
She squirmed in her seat and I nodded my head,
"Well, give it a go, love" is all that I said.

Retirement life is to enjoy as you please,
And to do everything in comfort and ease.
I thought she was up and making some tea,
When I heard the car start, it sure surprised me.
"I'll give it a week, that's as long as she'll last,
This sporting event will be a thing of the past."

She was back in a few hours, pretty wet I must say,
Her eyes were just glowing, a smile lasted all day.
As she chatted away about women in pink
All paddling together, three times a week.
I smiled and I nodded, an athlete she's not,
I can't help but think, this sport has the nod.

Now it's more than a year and I can't help but grin
That I ever had doubts a sporting life she'd begin.
Just look at her now, a new woman I spy,
There's more lift in her step and a gleam in her eye,
A little-girl lilt in her voice that shows through
Reminds me of the young lass I first knew.

I'm proud and I'm boasting of my darling wife
Whose body defies the athletic life.
I scream and I shout as they race in their boat
This dragonboat sport has surely my vote.
And if someone informs me it's too late in life,
I just direct them to my lovely wife.

Robyne Kellett, April 2003

The Singular Blokes
(this is a follow up to "My Lovely Wife")

Barry and I had been given the task
Of cooking the sausages- its not a big ask.
It is a male thing to be on the job
With tongs in your hand and meat on the hob.

The girls are gathered and ready to race
Pride always places a smile on my face
Barry and I are the maintenance crew
Carrying bags is amongst things we do.

Our lives have been changed and are ruled by the waves
The calendar now full of regatta days
Techniques’ve improved and numbers have grown
From small beginnings when seeds were first sown.

Barry’s a neighbour who’s full of advice
On most things encountered throughout your life.
But dumbfounded was he by this sport of his wife
When all he could say was “yes dear , that’s nice”

He’s an authority now and I take it all in
His wife was inspired by my girl Lyn
Who invited her out for a paddle one day
And it’s left us poor blokes in a singular way.

We look at the girls as smoke fills the air
All manner of shapes and colours of hair
Some young and some old , some middle aged girls
Here to enjoy life and defy all its curls.

Barry agrees it's one of those sports
Doesn’t matter so much, you don’t look good in shorts
But no one can alter one simple fact
That life is improved by this Dragon Boat tack.

Oh Barry! Look at the sausages………….

November 2003

Naked in the Park

(a further follow up to "My Lovely Wife")

The dragon boat season has been a mad pace
The girls have been competed in many a race
The trophies now line a shelf on the wall
But winter I dread when it comes to call.

Lyn’s having withdrawals, now the season’s cooled down
She dusts and cleans like a dervish hit town,
It’s driving me mad so I suggest that we go
Down to the lake, a picnic hamper in tow

Her eyes lit up like I’d switched on the light
The reaction to the lake always gives me a fright
In no time at all we were ready to go
To a place that we like to watch life, ebb and flow

The bench by the lake is in warm winter sun
Trees stand in groves, all naked as they come.
Lyn pours us some coffee in pottery mugs
From my hipflask I add, rum, just a couple of glugs

After a while we’re relaxed and unstressed
When Lyn remarks on the trees, state of undress.
“I wonder why” she says off hand
“The trees lose their leaves and then naked they stand?”

"We want to be pink" a voice did reply
“Each year we plan and give it a try
But then autumn arrives and what do you think
We end up all covered red, orange, yellow but….. Not pink"

"It’s the reason we lose our leaves over and over again
To be pink for our autumn display is the aim
But no matter what plan we put into place
No pink has appeared,…… not even a trace”

We looked at each other through rum induced haze
Then scanned the area for a joker in gaze
Those glugs must have affected us right and proper
Or did we just converse with an undressed poplar?

June 2005

FRIENDS FOR ALL TIME

When all is dark and it seems hope is lost
And life has just seemed to desert you,
Surrounded by a sea of faces
you are alone with the fears and choices,
Compassion flows from everyone
But no-one knows how your mind revolves
Darkest thoughts are those that assail you
With no thought of a positive outcome.

Enter the dragon to calm and uplift you
Bearing you across the waters of life
Listen to the world that surrounds you
Breath in all the visions of life.
Feel the water, soothing the skin
Tinkling sounds that arouse the mind
And sunlight that warms the heart and the soul.
Helping to lighten the heavy load.

Let those around help bear you along
Listening with care to your inner most thoughts
Share their experience and give to them more
Let sisters embrace you and soothe your alarm.
No one can travel the journey for you
But know as you go that others are there
Come mighty dragon bring comfort here
Let your strength be our guardian and love our domain .

Come Dragon carry us safely and defeat all our fears
Let us battle together and rain ,triumphant tears.
Remember those who are silent now
And in whose lives we mattered and shared .
Live life to the full and demand no less of it
Challenge the very meaning of time
Let us all paddle together
Friends for all time.

November 2003

I Spy

A fish looked up through his watery home
He saw a huge insect in masses of foam
Its legs were pumping, all up and all down
Pounding the water with a deafening sound.

A bird looked down from dizzying heights
He saw a creature whose image delights
As it travelled along by the water's edge
With colours so brilliant and gangly legs.

A walker gazed briefly towards the lake
And saw a sight he had to relate
Of a dragon boat that was just cruising through
Powered by paddlers of an amazing hue.

A rower was skimming across the lake
Backwards travelling in a line oh so straight
He looked in wonder at the paddling pace
Of powerful women with timing and grace.

A sweep looked forward along the boat
Its paddles before her moved as if by rote
The drummer is beating a dragon song
Working together they travel along.

A paddler looked out with eyes that are keen
And saw a fish jump in waters so green
She heard a bird song from way up high
Warbling his notes as he crosses the sky.

A rower went by with his lazy routine
On shore was a walker his stride sure and keen
The sweep when she's calling her voice seems to float
What a wonderful world on a lake in a boat.

January 2002

Ride the Dragon

We wake the mighty dragon
and feel his pulse beneath our feet
As the paddles hit the water
where two forces there do meet.

Hear his mighty voice
As he wakens from his sleep
As the water laps the bow
Saying 'drive those paddles deep!'

We rise up to the challenge
As he urges us along
His heartbeat coursing strongly
And our pace just follows on.

His rhythmic motion fuels us
And we paddle as if one
All hearts are formed together
As one body we've become.

His tail it gently guides us
By waters far and near
With a wake that trails behind us
Saying 'Dragons have been here.'

Rise up and meet the dragon
let him guide you to safe shore
as we face the race together
We are winners, hear us ROAR!

January 2002

Come and Paddle with Us

Come and paddle with us
Put your backs towards the sun
The paddles dipping strongly
As the boat just glides along.

Our arms reach high above us
Lifting paddles through the air
Then forcefully they’re driven
Catching water full and fair.

The water’s pushed behind us
And blades upright and square
Then turned and ripped right forward
As the pace leaves none to spare.

We’re fighting feisty females
With a passion we’d like to share
We call our strokes out loudly
And the noise does fill the air.

As we power through the water
We all stroke out as if one
We’re a band of friendly fighters
For the challenge we have come.

We paddle in the mornings
In pink shirts we all are found
You can hear our calls that echo
As the water we do pound.

We’re fighting feisty females
Full of fun and full of fire
Of the challenge set before us
We will never ever tire.

December 2001

Dragon Spirit

Paddle hard and paddle on
Bend your backs you'll soon be strong
Do the ladder, do a split
Boat's unbalanced, move your hip!

Drummer beating a steady pace
Watching the strokes' rhythmic grace
Paddles moving as if one
Upward, downward, hard as they come.

Water splashing under the bow
Driving forward strongly now.
There's racing starts and laps done through
And hauling boats on rollers too.

We paddle hard and paddle strong
It's what Les says that's carried on
We're building muscle and our fibre
Teamwork grows, we're here to inspire.

Fun and laughter grit and grunt
Our dragon spirit is on the hunt.

January 2002