A Australian Rose
For Betty Backhouse
Where ever you may be.
Way back in 1959
my parents, my sister and I.
Sailed from New York harbour
passed the Statue of Liberty
on an ocean liner called the RML Ivernia.
It was on this liner I met a girl slightly older than me,
who completely captivated me.
She was travelling with her parents and her brother.
They were from Australia
and her name was Betty.
She reminded me so much of my Canadian rose,
and the resemblance was uncanny.
The trip to England took seven nights and seven days.
Within those days,
she swept my heart completely away.
My biggest regret now is
I forgot to ask them where they lived in Australia.
When we docked in Southampton
in the December of that year,
amidst the rush and excitement
of returning to the land of my birth
I looked around and they were gone.
I often wonder how Betty and her brother ever got on.
That was almost fifty years ago
and hopes of ever seeing them are gone,
but I will always remember that Australian rose
until my final breath is taken away.
Should they ever read this by chance one day.
I hope that life has been wonderful to them both,
Betty and her brother where ever they may be.
3 June 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Black Betty
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty bam-ba-lam
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Black betty had a child (bam-ba-lam)
and she swears it's mine (bam-ba-lam)
she must be outta mind (bam-ba-lam)
she must think im blind (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
monday she got me arrested.
on tuesday up in chain.
on wednesday my trial was tested.
thursday she posted my bail.
friday we went walking.
saturday i out my door.
on sunday we was talking,
back on monday she pawned all my cloths.
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty )bam-ba-lam)
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
song performed by by Tom Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Little Loui Is Adorable
Little Loui who is so sweet,
sits real relaxed in his new car seat.
He rides next to Betty all over town,
he barks to protect her,
his bark makes a cute sound.
Little Loui makes Betty smile as she looks
toward him sitting on the ground,
for Little Loui follows Betty all around.
A couple of times he slipped away,
but Betty got him back all O.K.
Little Loui loves to go on very long walks,
with Betty he listens to her while she talks.
Betty dresses Little Loui up in outfits cute as can be,
Little Loui looks smashing and dressed to the T.
Little Loui will play with Madison this year,
Little Loui and Madison are friends so dear.
Written By Suzae Chevalier on December 17,2011
poem by Christina Sunrise
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Little Loui Is Adorable
Little Loui who is so sweet,
sits real relaxed in his new car seat.
He rides next to Betty all over town,
he barks to protect her,
his bark makes a cute sound.
Little Loui makes Betty smile as she looks
toward him sitting on the ground,
for Little Loui follows Betty all around.
A couple of times he slipped away,
but Betty got him back all O.K.
Little Loui loves to go on very long walks,
with Betty he listens to her while she talks.
Betty dresses Little Loui up in outfits cute as can be,
Little Loui looks smashing and adorable to a T.
Little Loui will play with Madison this year,
Loui is friends with Madison who is his friend so dear.
poem by Suzae Chevalier
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Betty My Friend
Betty with her deep brown eyes,
is a sweetheart that can sympathize.
She is a believer in my creativity,
she gives me feedback with dignity
Betty encourages me to protect myself,
she knows I am a creator like no one else.
Betty is a great parent and a kind soul,
she takes her son Loui wherever she goes.
She gives him treats for he is a good boy,
burgers from McDonalds, but no plastic toy.
Betty even made sure I was feed,
she bought a cheeseburger before she went to bed.
Betty really loves my artwork and my books,
she is amazed and knows what they are worth.
Thank you Betty for believing in me,
I bless you and your son Little Loui.
Written By Suzae Chevalier on February 11,2012
poem by Suzae Chevalier
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Betty Lou's Gettin' Out Tonight
Have you heard the news
It's all over town
If you ain't heard it boys
You better sit down
I got the story here
It's hot off the press
Brace yourself now
And take a deep breath
Grob a hold of something
Hold on tight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
First heard the rumor down on 12th and Main
The poor druggist he was going insane
His stuff is selling out like never before
He finally had to up and close the store
All the boys were getting ready to fight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
She was bad
Her momma got mad
But now her momma said it's all right
All the boys are getting ready and right
Betty Lou's gettin'out tonight
Betty Lou
Betty Lou
It's all true
It's really true
What do you think about that boys
song performed by by Bob Seger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Zackariah May
I'll tell you a sad story-Of a man named Zackariah May-He fell in love with a beautiful girl-Her name was Betty Ann Gray-Right away they atarted dating-But Zackariah didn't know-Betty Ann had a secret-She also had another beau-Zackariah heard from a friend-That Betty was cheating on him-When Zackaraih asked her about it-She said it's true his name is Jim-Zackariah told Betty Goodbye-The news she heard next day-A young drown in the river-His name was Zackariah May.
poem by Joy Thacker
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Betty Called Me In
Betty jo, you made it plain
When first you held me near.
Even though you caused me pain,
You were all the world to me.
We made love; we had such fun.
Many fine times went by us.
Now its all so hazy
And a little bit crazy.
Betty jo, my hearts on fire;
I dont need this crying.
The next time you see me,
The back seat of a taxis where Ill be.
Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
I think that was my big love scene
I do belive her engine run all right.
Betty said: get ready, the time has come.
I was young and the good life had begun.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.
Betty made my clothes and sewed my jeans,
Listened to my songs and foolish schemes.
I think the way she got to me
Was aimed like a laser beam right to the soul.
Betty, my true love, do what you do tonight.
Where she goes I hope she knows shes right.
The worst demand and the best of times,
She was never the kind to kick and bitch and fight.
Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.
I think that was my big love scene
I do believe her engine run all right.
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Betty
Oh Betty
You know I loved you so
I'm shattered
It hurt so much to see you go
Give me your heart, I'll keep it beating
And your blood will spill no more
Oh I want to love you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
Oh Betty
Don't tell heaven where you've been
Don't you know that needing love is not a sin
Give me your soul, I'll be it's keeper
And the words I speak will be yours
Oh I try to hate you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
And the leaves are starting to fall from the trees again
And I remember when
And autumn wind sang a song of a sin
But I wasn't ready
Oh Betty
Oh Betty
Don't tell heaven where you've been
Didn't you know that needing love is not a sin
Give me your heart, I'll keep it beating
And your blood will spill no more
Oh I want to love you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
You closed the greatest of doors
song performed by by Tiffany
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Growing Up Before Time
You stood outside
the ABC cinema
with Helen looking
at the framed photographs
of the stills
from the film
then showing
she clutching her doll
Battered Betty
you standing there
pointing out
the main characters
my old man said
he'd take me
to see this
on Saturday
you said
Helen rocked Betty
in her arms
I hope our child
doesn't call you
old man
she said
maybe he won't
you replied
it might be a she
Helen said
sure it might
you said
you gave Betty a look
as she hung there
in Helen's arms
you looked back
at the photo stills
putting your hands
in the pockets
of your jeans
maybe
you can take me
to the cinema
when we are older
Helen said
and we can sit
at the back
like those grown ups do
and kiss
you sensed her hand
touch your arm
and rub it up
and down
Betty moving
as Helen's arm moved
sure
you said
long as I can still see
the movie
Helen handed you Betty
and you took
your hands out
of your pockets
and held her gingerly
like she might go
crap on you
and Helen put
a hand in her pocket
and pulled out
a few coins
I might have enough
here for some fries
she said
ok
you replied
and you walked
beside Helen
along the New Kent Road
to the Neptune's fish shop
holding Battered Betty
carefully against
your cowboy shirt
the one your mother
bought you
for your birthday
the year before
Helen talked
of children's names
and you thought
of the Wild West
and cowboy games.
poem by Terry Collett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Betty Lous Getting Out Tonight
Words and music by bob seger
Have you heard the news
Its all over town
If you aint heard it boys
You better sit down
I got the story here
Its hot off the press
Brace yourself now
And take a deep breath
Grob a hold of something
Hold on tight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
First heard the rumor down on 12th and main
The poor druggist he was going insane
His stuff is selling out like never before
He finally had to up and close the store
All the boys were getting ready to fight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
She was bad
Her momma got mad
But now her momma said its all right
All the boys are getting ready and right
Betty lous gettinout tonight
Betty lou
Betty lou
Its all true
Its really true
What do you think about that boys
song performed by by Bob Seger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Lasting Friendship
For Betty Burton
A friend for over thirty years.
It is funny just how time slips away.
It only seems like yesterday
when the two of us met,
long, long ago in 1976.
It was in September of that year
a friend persuaded me
to go along to a writing class
to help boost up the numbers
and my moral.
With just four pupils
and five when I came along,
so a small intimate group
all with the desire to write,
but Betty became
the most famous of us all
with over thirteen
historical romantic bestsellers.
She really has made her name.
I am proud to say
I was there when she began.
I remember when
she had her first short story published
it was a treat to us all.
If Betty could do it
then there was some hope for us all.
She even started teaching
and I was a guest speaker
at one of her classes,
and as the years passed on by,
we met up with one another
very occasionally,
but what remained
even to this day
was a lasting friendship.
About that
there is nothing more to say.
17 January 2007
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
For Bill - My Brother
Who was aged five when I was born
My brother
Who hid my toys and broke my dolls
My brother
Who avoided his sister at school all day
My brother
Who tolerated my teenage years
My brother
Who as an adult became a friend
My brother
Who mellowed with each passing year
My brother
Who supported my desire to immigrate
My brother
Who was there when others weren't
My brother
Who buried our parents while I was gone
My brother
Who cherished every visit I made
My brother
Who had his ticket to visit me here
My brother
Who unexpectedly died this year
My brother
poem by Evelyn Macdonald
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Alternative - 1927
Betty Yack, of Mittyack, charming was and young;
But Betty Yack of Mittyack, had a bitter tongue.
And she married her one Otto who henceforth seemed doomed for life,
To submit to the upbraiding of his bonny, bitter wife.
Betty Yack of Mittyack, joined, while still quite charming,
That association having aims for better farming.
'So far, so good, my bitter Bet,' remarked her husband, Otto.
'If you join associations you must then adopt the motto.'
Betty read the articles and pondered quite a while,
Then nodded to her husband with a soft but gentle smile.
And the happy little couple are at last released from strife.
For Betty Yack, of Mittyack, stays dumb for all her life.
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Dead Babies
Dead Babies
Little Betty ate a pound of aspirin
She got them from the shelf upon the wall
Betty's mommy wasn't there to save her
She didn't hear her little baby call
(Wah!)
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't want you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Daddy is an agrophile in Texas
Mommy's on the bar most every night
Little Betty's sleeping in the graveyard
Living there in burgundy and white
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't love you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Goodbye, Little Betty
Goodbye, Little Betty
So long, Little Betty
So long, Little Betty
Betty, so long
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't need you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Goodbye, Little Betty
song performed by by Iced Earth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Little Loui’s Bark
In Cincinnati in the winter freezing cold,
Betty and her son would be brave and very bold.
They would venture out and find a little guy,
The smallest Yorkie puppy with love in his eyes.
Yes, a little Yorkie that was small but not afraid,
Betty named him Loui after a song her son played.
Yes, Loui is a sweet pup, but also has a bark,
he protects Betty as they walk in the dark.
He is very protective and watches with his keen eyes,
He’s not afraid of nobody while watching Betty’s side.
Especially at City Place where people are about,
He is quick to bark while checking them out.
Loui the little Yorkie needs to know,
if stranger passing by are a friend or a foe.
So remember Loui who’s bark
is smaller than his bite,
He will protect Betty day or night.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on September 17,2011
www.christinasunrise.com www.purplepoems.com
www.suzaechevalier.com
poem by Christina Sunrise
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Drop Your Buns Aunt Betty
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
And that package on your back.
We ate your baked cookies,
And they went rather fast.
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
We know they are delicious
Since they're made with cinnamon.
We're not a bit suspicious
Of the love that's in them.
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
And grab a little snack and relax.
You owe us that!
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
And that package on your back.
We ate your baked cookies,
And they went rather fast.
Drop your buns Aunt Betty.
Would you like a bowl of soup,
To boot that mood that has you pooped.
From all that mixing in the kitchen fixing food that you do.
There's some noodles with onions and peppers in it too!
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
And that package on your back...
And relax.
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
We know they are delicious
Since they're made with cinnamon.
We're not a bit suspicious
Of the love that's in them.
Drop your buns Aunt Betty,
And grab a little snack and relax.
You owe us that!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Little Loui's Bark
In Cincinnati in the winter freezing cold,
Betty and her son would be brave and very bold.
They would venture out and find a little guy,
The smallest Yorkie puppy with love in his eyes.
Yes, a little Yorkie that was small but not afraid,
Betty named him Loui after a song her son played.
Yes, Loui is a sweet pup, but also has a bark,
he protects Betty as they walk in the dark.
He is very protective and watches with his keen eyes,
He's not afraid of nobody while watching Betty's side.
Especially at City Place where people are about,
He is quick to bark while checking them out.
Loui the little Yorkie needs to know,
if stranger passing by are a friend or a foe.
So remember Loui who's bark
is smaller than his bite,
He will protect Betty day or night.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on September 17,2011
www.suzae.com www.suechevalier.com
poem by Suzae Chevalier
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Brother Bill
This is the sad true story about my brother Bill
who was four years older than me.
He was born and then tossed aside by his mother
who left him to his father’s parents to raise,
then promptly disappeared out of his life forever.
My grandparents brought him up
hoping his father would take care of him
when he returned from the war.
His father also my dad returned from the war
married with another son and didn’t want to know.
They gave him a nickname in private
so no one else would know.
In private, they always called him Dopey.
My sister and I were told
our grandparents had adopted him
and he was nothing to do with us.
When my dad’s parents died in 1958 and 59
plans were made to come back to England
where my mother’s parents were still alive
and leave Bill far behind.
Then as his mother had done eighteen years before
his father abandoned him as well.
For a while, he had to live on the streets
taking handout from where ever he could.
He was arrested for vagrancy and sent to jail.
Getting out he got himself a job and began to build a life.
He got married and started a family,
until one night he came home
and found his wife in bed with another man,
and a divorce followed and he was alone again.
Then after 25 years, his job vanished
and he had to find another.
One day in 2000, he got a telephone call
and did not know whether to believe it or not.
It was a call he never thought he would ever get,
a call from his younger brother - me.
As we talked on the phone, some truths came to pass
his brother and his sister did not know about him.
They were told he had been adopted
and were nothing to do with them.
However, I had found the truth,
which incensed my mother enough to disown me.
We met one another for the first time
after forty-two years in 2001 and again in 2002.
In 2003, this sad story ends,
in the March of that year
Bill succumbed to a heart attack.
His final words were a testament to his life.
No one loved me enough to care.
The sad truth is someone did
and that someone was me.
We never had enough time together,
circumstances kept us apart,
but he was my brother
and will remain in my heart.
2 November 2009
Authors Note:
The facts are as Bill told them to me. A sad refrain to a wonderful guy who was tainted by my parents as being bad and no good. If the truth were known he was probably better than the both of them. He was a guy who would give you the shirt of his back if you needed it. My brother Bill, may he now rest in peace.
DVH - 2009
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Big Brother (MANAV BHAIYA)
My brother is so nice.
He has given a lot of support to me.
He was always there,
When I was in a fix.
He is leaving for some other place.
After 12 years of struggle of his life,
he has achieved something now.
He feels very delighted.
My big brother’s name is Manav.
He is really a great human being on this earth.
My big brother has given me a new life,
For which I am very thankful to him.
I don’t know, when we see each other,
But the love won’t be less for big brother.
I remember those days spent with big brother.
Those days were the best days for me in my life.
It makes me feel very cheerful.
At last I bid him a wonderful farewell,
saying, wish you best of luck.
poem by Pushkar Bisht
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Down To The Well
Down to the well
Betty always knows
Betty always tells
She laughing desperately
She said it felt like a river inside her bones
When she went down to the well
Gonna be with her
She is gonna take me there
Lead me by my hand
Her body a rocking chair for my soul
I can hardly wait, baby
I can hardly wait
til we go down to the well
Down to the well
Been thinking to myself
And if a lifes not long
What matter does it make
If therell be favorite songs playing in my head
When we go down to the well
I can hardly wait, betty
I can hardly wait
till we go down to the well
Down to the well
song performed by by Pixies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!