Part 6
At the beginning of 2019, I moved 800kms north to the picturesque seaside township of Yeppoon, Central Queensland, Australia, where my brother and his wife and family lived. I lived with them for a few months until I started a part-time job for the local Backpackers Hostel, which was owned by my sister-in-law’s nephew and managed by my brother’s old neighbour. I then was able to rent a small unit from my sister-in-law’s niece. It’s who you know, not necessarily what you know in a small country town! I was so thankful for their help.
My brother, Doug, often spent time playing his guitar. I started playing and singing along with him. We started singing and playing our guitars on Friday nights, at the Backpackers Hostel, where I worked, to entertain the guests.
I changed the lyrics slightly, of well-known songs, to personalize the song’s message to reflect the events that were happening at the hostel. It was a lot of fun laughing and singing around the fire pit.
Both my brother and I wrote some original songs, which we performed as well. A talent that had been dormant within each of us had ignited. I had not composed a song for over five years. Once Doug started composing that year, he couldn’t be stopped. He composed quite a few beautiful ballads and is still composing.
One day I am hoping that he will let me publish them for him or with him. Next year, in 2022, after I have published all my old poetry, I plan to compose and publish the few songs I wrote that year and, compose more poems into songs, as well as continue writing poetry. Recording my songs will draw on a whole new level of courage for me.
We also lead the singing at our local church, I played the guitar and Doug played his African drums. After a few months, my hands grew stiff with joint pain and I had to stop playing the guitar. I plan to go back to playing the keyboard which is my prefered instrument.
Beverley Joy 2021 of Simply Story Poetry
You may also enjoy reading the rest of My Poetry Story.
Simply Story Poetry 
Leave a Reply