The Poetry of Brian Langley
This poem is derived from "Our Crowded House" and was
modified to be an inclusion in a Machine Knitting magazine.
This version is very similar to the original, except reference to machines
and necessary craft supplies etc has been changed.
This poem does not appear in any of my booklets.
Note - in a past time, the word "Blokey" in this poem was questioned by an
American Craft Guild.
They apparently thought it was some form of strong language. Not So!
"Blokey" means "pertaining to Blokes" (ie Men)
Our
house is full of woolen yarn, in almost every shade.
The
lounge is full of knitted squares, for the quilt that’s almost made.
The table
we should dine on is two feet deep at least
In
automatic pattern sheets, arranged so they’re not creased.
There’s a
cupboard in one bedroom, that’s bursting at the seams.
Its full
of pastel coloured balls, all pinks and blues and creams
There’s
boxes filled with other stuff, there’s ribbons, braid and more.
It’s
stacked in almost every room, from ceiling to the floor.
The place
she calls her knitting room, has cupboards, wall to wall
All
filled with other knitting gear, she says she needs it all.
There’s
things for winding wool in balls, there’s magazines and books,
There’s
extra needles, tools galore and weights attached to hooks.
There’s
four machines are in her room, she says she needs one more
There’ll
be no room to fit it in, it won’t get through the door
Why does
she need so many? I’m sure I hear you ask.
Well -
some of them are specialized and only do one task.
There’s
two that do the basic stuff, there’s one that just does ribs.
There’s
one that knits in circles, and I’ll tell you no fibs.
I’ve had
to build an extra room, to store her bulk supplies
Of yarn
she needs for future plans, and it is no surprise.
That like
the other rooms she has, it’s absolutely full
With
boxes, bags and cartons, all chock-a-block with wool.
But I
suppose I can’t complain and say I’ve had enough.
I cant
get in my shed at all. Its full of blokey stuff.
© Original poem “Our Crowded House” Brian Langley September 2004
This modification Nov 2005