narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

  *The grandfather paradox is a paradox of time travel first described by the science fiction writer René Barjavel in his 1943 book Le Voyager Imprudent ( Future Times Three).

  Thursday 1 August 2013

  Sister’s First Gift

  Robyn Chaffey

  Hazelbrook, NSW

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence

  a pocket full of rye’

  was the song she dearly loved

  practised often till she knew

  She was barely three years old

  sweet and innocent as they are

  full of wide eyed wonder

  at the joy of all things new

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence’

  she’d ask for me to sing

  til she could sing along with me

  one day the whole way through

  She’d been told exciting stories

  listened much to adult chatter

  about the changes it would bring

  She’d been watching as it grew

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence

  a pocket full of rye’

  with each anticipated visit

  practice then would start anew

  Words she used so very well

  Great story teller of renown

  Though wondrous things she wished to tell

  she simply sat right down and drew

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence’

  of kings and queens and maids

  of honey and of money

  birds that took your nose and flew

  Excitement now was growing

  just like mummy’s tummy

  She’d heard some of us talking

  saying mummy soon was due

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence

  a pocket full of rye’

  mummy went to hospital

  There were tears, but few

  The waiting was the hardest

  though she had lots to do

  to make the song just perfect

  so none should give a clue

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence’

  she tried so hard to sleep

  then they said it had arrived

  before the morning dew

  She could barely eat her breakfast

  was so anxious to be dressed

  to see mummy and her baby

  there’d be so much for them to do.

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence

  a pocket full of rye’

  straddle-legged and awe-struck

  she held her brother new

  Grown ups talked excitedly

  relief and joys expressing

  paid not too much attention

  to her wonder bubbling through

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence’

  sweet strains filled the air

  We were jolted to attention

  Such love in eyes of blue

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence

  a pocket full of rye’

  was to be the first fine gift

  your big sister gave to you

  ‘Sing a song of sixpence’

  has power to make me cry

  only tears of purest pleasure

  at how children’s hearts are true.

  Thursday 1 August 2013 4 pm

  Love

  John Arvan

  Underdale, SA

  As years roll by

  We struggle thru

  But life ain’t bad

  For me and you

  *

  The days give sun

  The night moonlight

  And still we love

  No cause to fight

  *

  So off you go

  Another year

  A birthday gift?

  My love.