Category: writing

animals, poetry, writing

What’s a “bogan” dad?

James Arthur Warren AKA Thundercloud Repairian

The term “bogan” is a term that originated in Australia and has been used to describe a particular subculture within the country. The word has been in use for several decades and has undergone a number of transformations in meaning over time.

The exact origin of the term is uncertain, but it is thought to have first been used in the 1970s as a slang term to describe a person who was perceived as being unrefined or lacking in taste or cultural awareness. This person was typically seen as being working-class and having a distinctive Australian accent. The term was often used to describe people who lived in the suburbs or outer regions of cities, as well as those who were involved in motor sports or other working-class pursuits.

Over time, the meaning of the term “bogan” has evolved and become more complex. While it still retains its original connotations of being unsophisticated and lacking in taste, it has also come to be associated with a particular subculture that is often seen as being rowdy, loud, and unrefined. This subculture is often associated with heavy drinking, partying, and other forms of reckless behavior.

Despite the negative connotations associated with the term, it has become an important part of Australian cultural identity and is widely used in the country. Many Australians embrace the term and use it in a self-deprecating or humorous manner, while others find it offensive and view it as an insult.

In recent years, the term “bogan” has become more widely known and has been used in other English-speaking countries. While its meaning and usage can vary in different countries, it remains a key part of Australian cultural identity and continues to be a subject of interest and debate.

In conclusion, the term “bogan” has a complex and evolving history in Australia. While it continues to be associated with negative stereotypes, it is also an important part of the country’s cultural identity and is widely used in a variety of different contexts.

Barry is a bogan known to his mates as Bazza

Bazza’s shag is a sheila called Sharon aka Shazza

They have a daughter named Karen, nicknamed Kazza

Daren is their son, often called Dazza

Now Bazza, Shazza, Kazza and Dazza live in Logan

Shazza has a loud voice, is never quietly spoken

Dazza loves billies but Kazza loves tokin’

Joints, VB, Commodores and Winnie Blue smokin’

Every night you’ll find Bazza at the pub

With his best mate known as “Grub”

Who walks along the street pickin’ up ciggie butts

Grub has this habit of playing with his nuts

Grub likes bare feet and Bazza wears thongs

When they’re pissed they love singing AC/DC songs

Cooking snags on the barbie with a pair of tongs

While Shazza and her girlfriends pack the fellas’ bongs

Dazza drifts his commodore around street bends

Kazza is always swearing and often offends

Bazza loves the massage parlour with his Asian girl-friends

An extra fifty bucks always ensures happy ends

By Thundercloud Repairian

This poem is meant as pure satire and if anyone takes offence, eat a bag of cement and harden up.

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poetry, writing

AI History of Surrealism Poetry and Human Created Poem- Psychedelic Cow

James Arthur Warren AKA Thundercloud Repairian

I’ve just been playing around with ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence app which writes pretty much whatever you ask it. I’ve had it create a 3 day poetry festival event management plan, and a draft program, a marketing and advertising plan, a list of 10 Australian Poetry Societies and organisations and more.

I decided to get it to do more complex tasks and ended up with the following two questions and associated answers. :

Create a list of topics to cover in a 2 hour workshop on poetry performance

Create a list of topics to cover in a 2 hour workshop about “Writing from Personal Experience”

Next I wanted to see if it could research and “write 1000 word essay about the history of surrealism poetry” and sure enough right before my very eyes it began to write the following 1000 word essay. The following 1000 words were created at https://chat.openai.com/chat by asking the following question.

Surrealism is a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It is characterised by a focus on the subconscious, the irrational, and the fantastical, and is known for its use of symbolism, metaphor, and other literary devices to create a sense of disorientation and dreamlike imagery. In poetry, surrealism is known for its use of free association, symbolism, and a disregard for traditional forms, syntax and grammar.

The origins of surrealism can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the publication of the French poet André Breton’s “Surrealism and Painting” in 1924. In this book, Breton defined surrealism as “pure psychic automatism, by which one proposes to express, either verbally, in writing, or by any other manner, the real functioning of thought.” This definition was a rejection of traditional forms of poetry and art, which Breton felt were too limited in their ability to express the full range of human experience.

One of the key figures in the early days of surrealism was the poet and artist Guillaume Apollinaire. Apollinaire was a major influence on the development of surrealism, and his work was characterised by its use of free association, symbolism, and a disregard for traditional forms. His poem “The Joy of Life” is considered to be one of the earliest examples of surrealist poetry.

Another key figure in the early days of surrealism was the poet Paul Eluard. Eluard’s poetry is characterised by its use of symbolism and metaphor, and its focus on the subconscious and the irrational. He is considered to be one of the most important poets of the surrealist movement, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.

The first official Surrealist group was founded in Paris in 1924, led by André Breton. The group was composed of poets, artists, and intellectuals who shared a common interest in the subconscious, the irrational, and the fantastical. The group held regular meetings and exhibitions, and their work was characterised by its use of free association, symbolism, and a disregard for traditional forms.

Surrealism quickly spread beyond France and became a global movement, with groups forming in countries such as Belgium, Spain, and the United States. In the United States, the poet and artist Wallace Stevens is considered to be one of the major figures of the American Surrealist movement. His poetry is characterised by its use of symbolism, metaphor, and a disregard for traditional forms, and it continues to be widely read and studied today.

Surrealism had a profound impact on the world of poetry, and it continues to be a major influence on poets today. The focus on the subconscious, the irrational, and the fantastical has led to a renewed interest in the power of symbolism and metaphor in poetry, and many poets continue to explore these themes in their work. The use of free association, symbolism, and a disregard for traditional forms has also led to a renewed interest in experimental forms of poetry, such as concrete poetry and visual poetry.

In conclusion, Surrealism poetry is a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century characterised by a focus on the subconscious, the irrational, and the fantastical, and is known for its use of symbolism, metaphor, and other literary devices to create a sense of disorientation and dreamlike imagery. The movement was led by André Breton in France, and quickly spread globally to have a profound impact on the world of poetry, influencing poets and artists to this day. With its disregard for traditional forms and syntax, it has led to a renewed interest in experimental forms of poetry.

Now for the bit that you are waiting for: Actual Surrealism poetry. Last week I wrote a bit about a psychedelic cow and I think thats about the most surreal thing that I’ve written recently.

She was a cow

In the here and now

Ate a lot of grass

Let it pass out her ass

Every day she ruminated

As she was so fated

She’d walk to the shed

Milked, and fed

But her world went BOOM

One day when she found and ate a mushroom

Became a psychedelic cow

Didn’t understand how

Life became so great

She began to create

Cow poetry, and art

Continued to fart

And belch methane

But inside her brain

We’re so many thoughts

Like, “why don’t cows play ball sports?”

A psychedelic cow

Had horns on her brow

Loved to surf

Farmed her own turf

Enslaved the farmer

For a Hindu cow… Karma

Made him work the field

To increase the turf yeild

And also pull the plough

The psychedelic Hindu turf farm owning cow

An interesting cow

Sat on a tree bough

Thinking, “I’m woke”

“Just one more toke

Of this DMT

Experienced oneness and extasy

And the Source of creation

All is mind and vibration

As above, so below

On all cows, farmers and farms, the winds blow

She was a cow

Fell in love with a sow

Their love crossed species

They have different faeces

Eat different food

They can’t have a brood

But they’re great friends

Cow and Pig lesbians

Who both love to fart

Plus eat mushrooms and create art.

Somehow I manage to keep up my writing of poetry regardless of the fact that I am running the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame full time. This includes my weekly “Chillin’ Tuesday Poetcast” and Wednesday Words Open Mic where new poets are always welcome. See the the YouTube channel for the Australian poetry Hall of Fame.

Wednesday Words Open Mic Night is every week at the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame and walk ups and new poets and readers are always welcome.

We are currently experiencing Guyra’s Lamb and Potato Festival for 2023 and every day I am also doing a poetry show at 2pm.

change, Humour, Life lessons, poetry, writing

Meditation and transformational poetry

James Arthur Warren AKA Thundercloud Repairian

There are times especially when I meditate that poetry downloads occur which present basic truths in their simplicity. In fact it seems to me that most fundamental truths are simple, such as the hermetic principle of cause and effect. Often the statements and poetry are transformational realisations that come when I am meditating on someone with “stuck” thinking patterns that are causing pain. Recently there have been a few poems which are this way so I’m just going to dump them below in no particular order for your pondering pleasure.

De-pollution “Contrails or chem-trails the humidity is high Here in the mountains as jets cross the sky

Streaky like bacon in a sky cyan and azure

Whether contrails or chem-trails, neither are pure

Condensate clouds form to droplets of rain

With la Nina this rain brings flood and pain

Thunderclouds rolling across the down under

Desert plains greened after storm thunder

Washing away garbage, change left behind

Baggage is lost for a new state of mind

Normal never was exposed by rat test

Stress brings opportunity to become your best

Mooganar Thundercloud Lightning and rain

Rainbows bring opportunity for growth again” Thundercloud quotes

Fear of fear

Is fear of avocadoes called avophobia?

Did someone locked in a closet get claustrophobia?

Androphobia is fear of men, not only Andrew. Angropbobia is fear of anger but fear of thunder and fear of lightning is astraphobia not thunderphobia or lightningphobia.

What about fear of door-knockers? Jehovahphobia?Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is obviously fear of long words. Invented by a troll.

Where’s my phone? Nomophobia. Fear of not having your phone…….. Venustraphobia is not as it seems but fear of beautiful women. While witches and witchcraft are obviously wiccaphobia.

Zuigerphobia isn’t quite so self explanatory, it kind of sucks, like fear of vacuum cleaners.

What about a fear of fear? Phobiaphobia…

Or does it cancel itself out because it is a double negative and become

Love

All

“There is no beginning because something always happened before.

There is no end because something will always happen after the end

If you close a door, you’re on one side of the door

When you walk around a corner you have gone around a bend

We can see only a fraction of the whole spectrum of light

We can only hear a fraction of the whole spectrum of sound

Without our filters it would be a bright and noisy nigh

We are connected as one with everything and all the energy around”

And now for something completely different

Life is about spirit

some won’t want to listen or hear it

but you can lift yourself up if you employ

a new attitude to life of acceptance, bliss, peace, joy

Decide get up from the lower negative emotional vibration

Release trauma from within and relax into Iration

Connect your heart and third eye to begin creation

Do everything or nothing with this information

Man, woman, other, girl or boy

POET

Poet once tried to describe the beauty of the entire Earth

Every day Poet wrote of poetry of lush green mountains filled with cotton wool Mist

Valleys filled with raging rivers and puffy clouds

Great walls and tiny fleas,

Rocks

Pebbles

Stones crystals and jewels

The flight of a raven

A murder of crows

Pyramids, Pythagoras and pixies

Brumbies and ponies running though the snow

Poet awoke each day in amazement and when Poet read their own poetry they thought of more beauty of the Earth that had not yet been written

Waterwalls tall and narrow, wide and raging

Autum colours

Bare skeletal branches in winter

Daffodils in spring

A golden sand beach with footprints

Walking along a path with sand between the toes

The taste of rain water

When poet though of how incredible the Earth is,

Poet’s heart was so filed with love for Earth that tears of joy welled up

often

This only inspired Poet more

For many years Poet wrote

But every day there was more

Jungles with vines, jaguars, anaconda

Pandas eating bamboo

Deserts, tundra and plains

Jagged peaks, gentle rolling green hills

White, red, yellow, brown cliffs

And more

But each day Poet awoke

Began to write

With gratitude

Thankyou for this planet

With the fresh blue air

For the water and the sun

The ocean to wash my hair

The rivers forests trees

Monkey, rainbows and bumble bees

Rivers rocks, fjords and lochs

Poet traveled far and wide to see the Earth

This only inspired Port more

Poet climbed hills swam oceans, reefs and with colourful coral fish

And wrote about it all.

One day Poet awoke

Poet walked out side

Poet had no pen or paper

Walked into the green field

Lay down

Watched a butterfly emerge from a cocoon

It was large, black with shimmerimg green, blues and violet patches in its wings

Poet closed their eyes

And relaxed

The ants and crows quickly devoured

Most of the flesh

And the maggots the rest

Poet lived a very very long life

More than 900 years

But Poet’s poetry lasted

… Forever.

Progress

“If you keep doing the same thing every day, very little about you will change, There will be minimal progress, improvement or personal development without habit change.

Your life will become mediocre, with resentment, self loathing and hate, but if you set a goal with passion and take action everyone can be great” Thundercloud Quotes, ©️2022

Extra Comments on Progress: “If you don’t imagine a better life and change your situation, then you’ll be resentful, angry, and live life in frustration”

“Every human has potential for continuous growth and creation, if they’d believe in themselves they can create any situation”

“The words we use to describe ourselves are true from our own perspective, so we must change the things we say about ourselves if we want to be self directive.”

poetry, writing

A Poetry Dump

James Arthur Warren AKA Thundercloud Repairian

Just last night as I was going to bed, sitting there meditating I had a flash of an idea. I just remembered it so here goes.

Its a Poetry Dump

Wind chill factor

There’s no point yelling at the wind There’s no point crying about the rain The humidity, the heat or cold All weather comes again

The wind will blow on all of us Sometime in life we all have pain Rise to challenges don’t make a fuss You need to scrub to remove a stain

Cold exposure makes you stronger Wind, hail, rain and snowy weather Attitude determines who lives longer Loving souls memories live for ever

Light in dark and dark in light Without fear without frustration Sunrise and sets the day and night Gratitude for all situations

As one ends another cycle begins Nothing resting, vibrations and flow Yin Yang reflect fraternal twins It’s always cold when there’s snow

I won’t cry that the black swans fly Droughts break when it rains Snow comes in black clouds in the sky There are times you must unblock drains

6 Sigma

“Strength has flexibility, power, agility and speed. Fleas bit dinosaurs on the nose, eyes and knees If you’re dedicated, consistent, take an extra step each day Make adjustments and improvements in every single way Delayed gratification to achieve a long term goal and plan Of Personal development to become a six sigma man”

Non-Sense

“Sometimes you have to be prepared to say THAT’S NONSENSE and then just walk away” Thundercloud Quotes

Passion for Poetry

I have developed a passion for poetry. Each word written is a seed Sowed in a forest of minds growing trees

Awake and asleep I fashion my poetry Affecting those who read Prose, some meter, and rhymes flow free

The poets of the past all speak to me Metaphor that heal or bleed Graphic depiction of crimes historically

Cathartic affecting all emotionally Unshackled truth becomes freed Prophetic, grammatical, syntactic poetry

I’m just a poet bird in a big poet tree Into my head poetry I feed I defecate poetry and piss poetry

Cook it in my mind, consume poetry Poetry I love, crave and need Poetry is a healthy obsession for me

A Kick

On the National Register of Unremarkable People There’s men named John, Paul, Steve, Jim, Peter Women named Jessie , Chrissy, Shelly, Kate, Sharon Barbara, Mary, Sarah, Kate and of course Karen

Every night the Unremarkable People all get pissed When they pass away we celebrate they are not missed With Unremarkable lives they contribute a little bit But mostly leech off others, watch TV, smartphones or sit.

The Unremarkable People have all been heaven sent As example how not to live and how life shouldn’t be spent Hedonistic drifters without plans in self dug holes As opposed to planned success and achieving goals

But you can be remarkable if you take some action Proactive plans with goals and passion always makes traction With a definite purpose you’ll be successful and achieve Anything you imagine with action and self belief.

Interesting

“Life is a set of ( brackets) within an infinite soul, growth of spirit is the goal. Life is an adventure not to be missed. Ascending spirits pass through peace, joy and bliss. Life can be boring or interesting. It’s all your a free choice and that’s the best thing. ” Thundercloud Quotes

Cho-Zen

“The world can make you laugh or the world can make you cry, Feed you, and nurture you, the world can make you die You can be a boy, girl, man, woman, other, cat, monkey, hen Do you let the world affect you or wash over you, be zen.” Thundercloud quotes

Beware of the Goat

I went for a ride on my trike tonight There were so many different animals in flight

Oh goodness me, SH. T and F#CK I just got hit by a low flying duck

Next thing I know, yes it’s true I got hit by a flying goose too

After that I thought they were gone. When I rode into a flying black swan

At the last moment from the corner of my eye I ducked as along came a Magpie

Next thing, I don’t know how, I got hit by a swooping cow

Things got crazy and rather big When I got hit by a flying pregnant pig

Then a flying hippopotamus, a flying rhinoceros Then the rain fell down and washed away the lot of us

From the sky fell a million green frogs After that it was raining cats and dogs

Animals were raining everywhere Falling from the sky into my hair

An idea flashed, I knew what to do, I put a fence up and built a zoo

You’re welcome to visit if you like I’ll take you for a tour on my trike

But please be very careful in the zoo Not to tread in elephant poo.

One last thing, bring a rain coat He doesn’t swoop but there’s a pissing flying goat

This is my trike
Life lessons, poetry, writing

Acres of Diamonds

James Arthur Warren AKA Thundercloud Repairian

There is an African parable about a farmer who sells his farm to go searching for diamonds which he never finds meanwhile the man who bought his farm find diamonds on the very farm that the first man sold. 

There's a little patch of calm in an ocean of panic
Selling off the family farm our farmer is a tragic
He going on a search for a diamond studded land
When he finds his fortune, won't his life be grand?
Searching high and low will he ever find his treasure? 
One day will he  know a life of wealth and pleasure?
Trodding up and down on the search for Easy Street
He's a desk jockey and clown, the betting house his beat
Why he sold the farm many thought he was insane
Depressed and without charm, going down the drain
Never found his fortune, he's going off his head
Life never played his tune, and he ended up dead

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thundercloud
In an Ocean of panic there's a little patch of calm
Where Farmer Obananic bears the work of his new bought farm
Working hard, tills the field and carries water from the creek
So he gets a good crop yield and just the other week
He was walking in the creek and found a shiny rock
He forgot it for a week because he stored it in his sock
But he showed it to a friend who told him what he found
The farm he bought had acres of diamonds lying round.

So the moral of the story, just stop and look around 
You may just have a priceless antique sitting on the ground
And even better you've the brains to do what's in your head
Find your little patch of calm and don't panic or be dead
You've everything you need to create a life of thrival
Or you can look externally and live life in survival
Chasing rainbow ends, find hail and slime on
Or STOP. Look around you're sitting on diamonds.

I heard this story earlier in the week and decided to rewrite it in poetry rhyming couplet form. I have been also contemplating how this story might apply to my life. What diamonds am I sitting on? Rare books? Antiques?

AhHa! My unpublished poetry? My unpublished children’s books like Happy Harry Koala? The Australian Poetry Hall of Fame? All the above and more. Yes it is true, which makes me think “I’d better create some products from my writing and art. I’m sitting on acres of diamonds”