The Nar Nar Goon Pub

The Nar Nar Goon Pub

A Poem by Keith
"

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

"

 

 

Theres a tiny town in Australia,

With a really silly name.

Id 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  theyd 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.

 

 

 

© 2013 Keith


Author's Note

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

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Reviews

sad but you managed to look at the funny side of it. well done. I like your nice touch of humour.

Posted 9 Years Ago


Very entertaining, suspenseful, and, as it turns out, educational poem. Not being Australian I, of course, never read of the incident, but you have immortalized it here. Excellent flow resulting in easy reading.
It certainly wasn't entertaining to the residents involved, but the your telling of the story is.

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thanks again Richard, the new pub has all of the photos on the wall. I am trying to track down the .. read more
What an hilarious name! Sure glad the bartender was okay. You wrote this up well!

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

And we have the towns of Bunyip and Koo Wee Rup near by. Thanks again for calling in.
LOL this made me laugh, although I shouldn't laugh at others' misfortunes, but you ending did it Keith, so it's your fault haha
As all of your poems I have read, the story, rhyme and flow make for a wonderful mix of reading.
Such a great tale told. especially being a true tale.
Loved it. Thanks for pointing it my way! Wish this site had emoticons. I'd send a huge smile!

You have the air of Patterson and Lawson about you!

Posted 10 Years Ago


wordwarrior

10 Years Ago

Oh I love the Man from Ironbark!
...murder, bloody murder, yelled the man from ironbark!... af.. read more
Keith

10 Years Ago

Ah yes, I grew up on that stuff! Not sure if you have ever driven up north in the NT or even in W.. read more
wordwarrior

10 Years Ago

Thank you! I will check them out!
You must have a great disposition to be able to tell us such delightful stories from your life, Keith! Perhaps you embellished a bit, but I have to say, you had me roaring with laughter! Your rhyming is, as always, impressive. Lydi**

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thanks again Lydia, glad you got a laugh at the demise of our old Pub. When you ready for more nons.. read more
What a delightful read, better yet, since it's a true story, but you added spark to it!

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thank you Frieda, this one beeged a poem to be written.
Frieda P

10 Years Ago

And you did it so well, my pleasure...
It took such a stupendous explosion to relieve the publican and he seemed grateful indeed !

Another great piece of iconic Aussie legacy, written with such equal Aussie panache !

Posted 10 Years Ago


Tom

10 Years Ago

Would charisma fit more comfortably ?
Keith

10 Years Ago

Mate, I'll take them all, they don't have to be comfortable. .. A test draw, we used to hate th.. read more
Tom

10 Years Ago

Like I've said, don't be too down on your national side, your still better than us at cricket ! But .. read more
A wonderful story/poem - I had no idea this is a real place. Wonderful writing my friend. :) Julie

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thank you Julie, we like to think we live at the 'flash' end of town in Nar Nar Goon North
tremendous tale my friend...I attempted the Aussie accent as I read thru it......But being a faraway Brit, I kept adding the odd 'Fair Dinkum'

Great stuff..Why can't the English come up with such cool names for their towns?

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thanks Doc. But ' fair bloody dinkum', is easier to say.
Dr. Wood ?

10 Years Ago

true mate. I suppose it all comes from watching watered down Crocodile Dundee...I'll do me best to k.. read more
Keith

10 Years Ago

Yeah that works, I went to the Paul Hogan (Croc Dundee) school of elocution. You might like to kno.. read more
A glorious tale, strange that I don't remember it, but I was in the air force at the time, at Williamstown NSW, and no doubt distracted. It's these little potted histories that deserve to be commemorated in poetry, it keeps the tales alive. Good one.

Posted 10 Years Ago


Keith

10 Years Ago

Thanks David. I read it the next day on the front pages of the Melbourne Sun. That image of the ba.. read more
Keith

10 Years Ago

I flew in/out of Newcastle every week last year, the williamtown airbase shares the runway. Sometim.. read more
David Lewis Paget

10 Years Ago

I haven't been there for years, Keith. When I was there, they were just retiring the North American .. read more

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2855 Views
27 Reviews
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Added on June 6, 2013
Last Updated on June 17, 2013
Tags: Nar Nar Goon, Pub, Hotel, Australia, explosion

Author

Keith
Keith

Gippsland, Victoria, Australia



About
I grew up on a diet of Australian bush poetry. Now a business consultant, I spend far too much time on aeroplanes and in hotels, I use this time to write. I like to tell stories and have fun. If y.. more..

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