Jim Haynes

Jim Haynes

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Poem of the Week

WHEN BERTHA COMES TO TEA
 Henry Lawson
(Recited by Jim on 2UE on Sunday 06/07/08)

When Bertha comes to tea
(The kettle sings in glee)
The cups and saucers clatter
As they hear her chatter, chatter.
And you wonder what’s the matter
When Bertha comes to tea.

When Bertha comes to tea
(Her age, I think, is three)
She keeps you in a fl utter,
Cutting cake and bread and butter.
‘Where does it go?’ you mutter,
When Bertha comes to tea.

When Bertha comes to tea
(She isn’t shy, not she)
The house cat sees, clearly,
She loves him very dearly,
But — he’s suffocated, nearly,
When Bertha comes to tea.

When Bertha comes to tea
(Along with you and me)
She’s sure to bring her dolly;
Then away with melancholy,
And let us all be jolly
When Bertha comes to tea.


One of the few ‘happy’ poems Lawson ever wrote, about the visits of his daughter after his marriage broke down irretrievably. I find it very sad, and it doesn’t seem poor old Henry was much good with kids.

Jim Haynes

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