The Cottage

The story of our cottage in the bush.

--Purchased 2004--

In an Estate Agent's Window

A quaint cottage caught my eye,

I felt its call right then I knew

I could not pass it by.

Needing hard work love and care,

A bargain it would seem.

Nestled among the gum trees

A renovator’s Dream.

It seemed that nature had reclaimed

Every inch of garden space,

As though the forest hugged that house

And held it in its place.

To the door up rickety steps

You’d think about your chances,

Holes there in veranda's floor

The handrail made of branches.

The front door creaked as it swung wide

A sweet but musty smell.

It took me back to childhood days

Now under the cottage’s spell.

What treasures on the inside wait?

There was so much to explore,

Just as the owners left it

Some twenty years before.

 From bits and pieces firmly built

Each a second handed prize

Every beam and wooden stilt

Each window a different size.

The doors were from a hospital,

Each one still bore a sign

Beside the knob the bathroom door

Still reads “Six Beds Ward Nine”.

Old gas lamps on every wall

No power was connected

Taken by its beauty and charm

Much more than I expected.

The  kitchen table made of wood

Each dent and scratch a story,

Six unpainted wooden chairs

Far from their former glory.

A whitewashed kitchen cupboard

Colored lead-light in the door,

Full of wondrous old wares.

Such temptation to explore.

Mary’s statue sitting  on top

She’s watching what I do,

Does she know I own it now,

Or would she have a clue?

My anticipation rising as

I carefully pull the handle

Right in front with old matches

Of course I lit the candle.

There sat a row of children's books,

A Mecano set complete,

A fountain pen with two spare nibs,

A baby’s bottle with its teat.

 Cups on hooks and many plates

A set it’s certainly not

Hand beaters and an earthen Jug

An old fry pan and iron pot

Knifes and forks all bent and worn

Clustered in the drawer below.

A brooch, cuff links and old tie pin

For someone dressed to go.

The lino on the floor so thin

Old newsprint showing through.

A brand new Chev Two Fifty quid

Back in nineteen fifty two.

We had so much work to do

Every single treasure packed

All were placed in cardboard boxes

Then to the shed and stacked.

Each weekend for next three years

We worked to modernize.

We polished up that wooden floor

Now on show before your eyes.

The timber beams were sanded back

To reveal their natural grain

Ceiling boards were all replaced

Finished off with timber stain.

So proud we were of what we did

It came up as just a treat.

Now a gorgeous little home

Looking prim and very neat.

With the renovation finished

Using money that was lent

In order to appease the bank

We let it out to rent.

But nature unleashed her fury

A bushfire had its way.

Infamous in our history

The name ‘Black Saturday’

A tragedy like none before

The day Victoria cried.

Two thousand homes were burned that day

One hundred and seventy died.

Heartbroken now our cottage gone

But indeed our loss was small

Great sadness spread across the state

Deep sorrow felt by all.

Proudly sits a replacement house

Worth way more when we sell.

But in my heart I miss that cottage

Much more than I can tell.

--2007 Renovations under way--

--2008 same angle finished--

--2008 finished ready to rent--

--2008 the baltic pine flooring gleaming--

--7th Feb 2009, nothing left--

'Black Saturday'

2000 homes burned, 173 lives lost.

--Saturday 14th September 2013 

We received the keys to the replacement building--

Every tree now gone no longer a bush block,

now a paddock.

-- The Black Saturday Story--

http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/stories/mosaic

Author's Note

We spent 3 years renovating it, but then lost it during the February 7 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires in Victoria. We just received the keys to the new replacement house last week.

See http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/stories/mosaic

Reviews

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Normally, a lengthy poem such as this would repel me from reading til the end. But this held me captive and I enjoyed the detailed descriptions and interesting narrations. Every line served its purpose. And grief had me as well when such a lovely cottage was devoured by bush fire. Such a tragedy. And I know it must be heartbreaking since you renovated it for three years and it all ended up in ashes in a blink of an eye. The rhyme scheme is exceptional and the rhythm was great, too. Truly a masterpiece. :x

[Keith]

Thank you so much for that very flattering review. we did indeed have many fond memories and wanted to preserve them in this poem, all of those details are real. That cottage oozed character.

[Dr. Wood ?]

great story my friend...an enthralling ride....and the pictures?

wow

[Keith]

Thanks mate. Working there right now hanging blinds in the new house. I hate hanging blinds! But cheaper than getting someone who knows what they are doing.

[Dr. Wood ?]

cheaper than getting ME and that's for sure.....Bloody travelling expenses and all

[Keith]

Dunno, can you do this s**t? And are the straight, and don,t fall down?.

[Dr. Wood ?]

Yup and yup

[Keith]

man, that harder than writing poems.

[Dr. Wood ?]

I do both at the same time....Nah..just joshing

[Jack...]

Wow Keith, I had never heard of Black Saturday...devastating and horrific to say the least. Sorry your "dream" cabin was lost, but the replacement looks like a showpiece now. Very cool my friend.

[Keith]

Thanks Jack. There is a link after the pictures, else google 'black saturday victoria' We are very happywith new house but still miss the cottage, we think of it more lately as we spend more time near the new house.

[icelandicblue]

How we love that which we put our sweat and effort into. I loved the line about the hospital doors...now that is character. I can't imagine the heartache of losing the house and everything else. I am happy you are finally back into your house, 2009-2013 was a long wait for you to have something to call home again. May you know nothing but happiness in this new home even though it may ever fully replace the original.

[Keith]

Yes Ice, we are delighted to now have a gorgeous new bigger and better home, but we miss the character of that cottage. Thanks for the wonderful review.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

I liked the unfolding of this narrative and the the way you convey to the reader seems like a documentary as I go about the read and development in the end of this write...good to see the outcome is much better now...

[Keith]

Thanks for dropping in Glen, I appreciate your thoughtful reviews.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

you're welcome...just busy with my work as copy writer and other matters...good to read you...

[Tom]

A great poem telling an intriguing personal story of resourcefulness then demise, but your resolve in accepting this tragic natural disaster and getting on with life, is indeed commendable and although your replacement home may have lost a little of its originality, it still looks absolutely splendid!

Kudos to you for sharing the experience so vividly and poetically!

[Keith]

Ah yes we do indeed no have a wonderful place and we are so excited to get the keys from th builder. But ther was something about those gorgeous old baltic pine floorboards that had several rows of nail holes showing how many times they had been laid before. Thank you for the wonderful review Tom. We lost an innings here but won the series I reckon.

[Tom]

I love it !!!

[Riding the Rainbow]

Amazing piece and loved the renovations!

[Keith]

Thank you Kejara. We did try to modernise without destroying its charm.

[Leslie Philibert]

an enjoyable read, and a reminder that Bush fires are so awful, the kind of thing we see on television in Europe, but tend to pass over due to the huge quantity of images we become. You have provided a personal story here that fills out the news. Lots of fun for you and your family in your new house !

[Keith]

Thank you Leslie. We were not present and never had to personally face the terror of the inferno.. So this is more a tale of nostalgia, the link at the end of the photos will take you to some tales from those who faced the fire front. As always, thank you for a thoughtful review.

[shallimarRose]

Ok Keith this truly is an exceptional piece. I am so sorry you lost this treasure to the fire. I will click on the link after I comment here. Very well written and I love the photos. It sounds like the most quaint old place that you guys must have had so much fun restoring. Love the branches on the handrails and the hospital signs on the doors.. lol Going in my favorites darlin' xo Rose

[Keith]

Thank you again Rose, it was indeed so much more than a building to us. We now have a most gorgeous house twice the size and now with the trees gone, exceptional views. But we would rather have that cottage back. Your kind review is much appreciate

[shallimarRose]

Sometimes the big house and the crown molding and the back yard pool is not what is important. We look back and wish for the simpler times and the old house perhaps cramped but that left us room to be together ... It is a great poem Keith. One of your best I have read so far.. and I am indeed a fan.. Rose