My Uncle Jack
Lived most of his life
In solitude on Briers Hill,
Way out of Ogleton.
I once asked Uncle Jack about politicians,
Much to my regret:
‘They’re all arseholes the lot of them
Silly buggers sitting around
Telling us what to do, what to think,
Wonder they don’t tell you how to shit.’
Those words of Uncle Jack
Have stayed in my memory.
A cantankerous old coot
He loved John Wayne movies
Lived his life in the same manner
Shoot first, ask questions later.
His knowledge of politics and men
Often left much to be desired
He was always ready for an argument
And we kids were always on to bait him.
He’d bite on anything from
Breakfast marmalade to the Labor Party.
The only thing he wouldn’t bite on
Was women, no matter how hard we tried.
To Uncle Jack, women were God’s most beautiful creatures
‘The only thing greater than a woman
Is being in love with one.’
I often wondered about that statement
For as far I knew, no woman
Had ever been near his place.
When he died we found a bunch of letters
Written sixty years previously.
Uncle Jack loved Edna Dawson
And she loved him.
The letters were very clear.
The last letter dirtier than the rest
Contained a faded newspaper clipping
Explaining everything.
Recently I cleaned out an old cupboard and discovered a cache of old poems I had written in the early 1970’s. I have had a lot of fun re working them. In some cases I have struggled to remember the context but I think they still stand up ok.
Morpethroad 
OH…I really love this!!!! There is just something about hand written letters….then again I am trying to cut some of my romantic tendencies. hahaha
Oh…Jack was my dad’s name. Well his name was Bentley, but everyone called him Jack.
Thank you, I think it may have been a reference to a Jack way back then who was a tad eccentric and lived alone. Funny thing coincidence isn’t it.
Thank you for that lovely comment.
You’re welcome
When I first started reading, Uncle jack sounded exactly like my Uncle Art as I was growing up. I love Uncle Jack’s quote about women, and the end was very touching. Thanks! 🙂
Hello Serena, thank you for that lovely comment. Yes I do too. says something doesn’t when 40 years ago I said that, and it still rings true.
How wonderful!! 🙂 🙂
Thank you Helen.
I loved the line – he’d bite on anything – you have done well to find poetry you have written ..way back then 😉 and they stand up juz fine mate 🙂
Thank you Jenny you are very kind.
pfft – just moi 🙂
There’s always more to someone than meets the eye.
Uncle Jack sounds like he was a wonderful guy.
Thanks RoSy, I think he may have been a real character.
This is fantastic Michael absolutely fantastic!
Oh thank you Yves, I do appreciate your comment. Thank you so much.You are very kind.
=) Loved it
Thank you again
Nice poem! I enjoyed the bit of mystery concerning the love story.
Thanks Gabriella we all have a taste of love at some point, not everyone gets to realise it.
Relatives can be quite interesting…
Yes they can, thankfully this Uncle Jack wasn’t mine though I would have learnt a lot from him. Thank you for your comment.
oh I really enjoyed this one. Uncle Jack had his views but I so love his comment on women…hard on the outside, but tender of heart.
That’s right tough old man but but a heart of gold.Thank you for your comment.
My pleasure. During my trip, although I had little time to write, I do appreciate your feedback I could read on my phone. It kept me connected to WP…a family I have gotten accustomed to.
Yes I have just returned from a few days away and no internet only my phone, you feel isolated don’t you. I am off again this week but I will have the internet.
Enjoy your time off, Michael.
Thanks, I am to be commenting on your posts, and why not?
Cool:)