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The following piece of poetry was originally written by Rupert McCall.
I am happy to recommend his published works to anyone that a has love for sport in Australia - his books can be found from his website http://www.rupertmccall.com.au/
This Poem is called Green and Gold Malaria and was originally posted on this forum in May 2006 here
It has been modified by me - without permission, I do so to express my love for the Western Force. Which I will continue to follow Win Lose or Draw. I follow the Western Force because I am a Western Australian. I follow the Western Force thru the bad times because its going to make the good times oh so much better.
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The day would soon arrive when I couldn't ignore the rash again.
I was obviously ill and so I called on Doctor Cadogan
This standard consultation would adjudicate my fate.
I walked into his surgery and gave it to him straight:
`Doc, I wonder if you might explain this allergy of mine,
I get these pins and needles running up and down my spine.
From there, across my body, I will suddenly extend -
My neck will feel a shiver and the hairs will stand on end.
And then there is the symptom that only a man can fear -
A choking in the throat, and the crying of a tear.'
Well, the Doctor scratched his melon with a rather worried look.
His furrowed brow suggested that the news to come was crook.
`What is it Doc?' I motioned. `Have I got a rare disease?
I'm man enough to cop it sweet, so give it to me, please.'
`I'm not too sure,' he answered, in a puzzled kind of way.
`You've got some kind of fever, but it's hard for me to say.
When is it that you feel this most peculiar condition?'
I thought for just a moment, then I gave him my position:
`I got it in 2005 when people power won the day,
And I get it when the anthem of our native land is played,
And I got it in 2006 when Scott Fava crossed for our first try.
And when we signed Gitteau before Firepower made him leave and cry.
I got it back in '07 when Sheps kicked for that first win
And when Spanner announced that he was chucking it in.
I get it when Sharpie wins one on the opposition throw.
And when the Sea of Blue fires our team up for another go.
It hits me hard when we beat the Vics at their own games,
And I get it when I see our farmers fighting for their names.
It flattened me when Bondy raised the boxing kangaroo,
And when Danny Green won the belt well, the rashes were true blue.
So tell me, Doc,' I questioned. `Am I really gonna die?'
He broke into a smile before he looked me in the eye.
As he fumbled with his stethoscope and pushed it out of reach,
He wiped away a tear and then he gave me this stirring speech:
`From the beaches in Esperance to the sweeping shores of Broome,
On the Harbour banks of Freo where the flowers are in bloom.
From the Bungle Bungles at Sunset in the mighty Kimberly,
or the spinifex on the road to Coolgardie.
From the Great Australian Blight up to the Gulf of Carpentaria,
The medical profession call it "Blue and Black Malaria".
But forget about the text books, son, the truth I shouldn't hide.
The rash that you've contracted here is "good old Sandgroper pride".
I'm afraid that you were born with it and one thing is for sure -
You'll die with it, young man, because there isn't any cure.'