The Nar Nar Goon Pub

Another true story, but I might have taken a few liberties.

 

 

There’s a tiny town in Australia,

With a really silly name.

I’d like to describe an incident

That gave it national fame.

In ‘Nar Nar Goon’ it all took place

In nineteen seventy two.

They talk about it to this day,

The night the old pub blew.

 

The gas co. put in a heater,

Their plumbers packed up and went

They said 'Sign here, coz we're all done,

The Invoice will be sent.'

The publican turned the heater on full,

The place was as warm as toast.

It was the largest crowd they ever had,

And the biggest profit they'd grossed.

 

But the patrons noticed the smell of gas

And told the barman of course.

When he closed the door he thought it time

To try and find the source.

He followed his nose to  the cellar,

Where the pong was really strong.

He searched high and low to no avail.

But he knew there was something wrong.

 

At the top of the cellar stairs

He stopped to turn out the light.

He flicked the switch and up it went,

As that gas leak did ignite.

The pub was blown to smithereens

Reduced to match sticks and splinters.

So much for that bloody heater

That was meant to warm their winters.

 

The blast was felt many miles away,

Broken windows all over  town.

The saddest thing  they’d ever seen,

Every drinking man with a frown.

But what of that poor old barman?

He survived that mighty blast.

Dazed he crawled out from the rubble,

His life had just flashed past.

 

He'd had discomfort all day long

Suffering a dose of colic.

By closing time the pressure intense

His condition nearing  chronic.

As they helped him stand on his own two  feet,

Not a moan or hint of bitchin.

He mumbled ‘Thank the Lord I never let that go,

..Near the wife or in the kitchen.’

 

 

 

Author's Note

Hey, it is a real place, I live there.

Reviews

[Paula]

You're clearly a bit of a balladeer, (throw the tall tale in there, too): a tradition to bear proudly. The last line makes me think of flatulence?

[Keith]

Yep, the poor old barman thought that was responsible. No tall tale her, based on fact, I have since attached old newspaper clippings. Well, almost fact, maybe a few minor embellishments. So nice to see an Aussie here. Thanks for reading.

[carol burgess romance]

hahahhahahahhhahahahahahhahah Oh my this is too funny...love the ending

[Keith]

Thank you Carol. Not sure evryone quite got that!

[carol burgess romance]

you and my husband would get along well....he tells a story with a very similar ending...too funny

[Keith]

I confess to using the punch line of a very old joke, probably the same one.

[Jack...]

Keith you have outdone yourself this time. Very cool and funny in a dark kind of way. Sounds like a place that would inspire and I suppose it did. Very good.

[Keith]

Thanks again Jack, it was a fun write.

[Marie]

Very exciting. It sounds like a neat place to live. But then I like every thing I read about Australia.

That barman had a good attitude.

[Keith]

Thank you for your continued support Marie. Come on over for a visit, you will meet plenty more like that barman.

[Marie]

I would like to visit Austrailia, but it's not likely to happen. I'm bound close where I am.I certainly enjoy your writing of it.

[Keith]

Thank you Marie.

[Aethereal]

This is wonderful, I love the story told, and the flow of each rhyming octal verse. Write a hundred such story poems, and then place 'em in a book.

[Keith]

Thank you for the encouragement, much appreciated.

[Sarah Khalil]

This is actually just really awesome. It's got lovely dark comedy. You already know what's coming, because that's the stuff of local legend, isn't it? You fit comfortably into the role of the storyteller.

[Keith]

Thank you Sarah, I do love to spin a good yarn.

[quinfinn]

in my experience, the stories penned from real events make the best ones. this is certainly no exception. an engaging and well thought out , cleverly penned verse!

[Keith]

Thanks Quinn. This just begged for a poem to be written about it.

[Keith]

Hey mate. Missing your work. Take care.