Nothing is set in concrete here - and it is just a bit of fun
Original Post by Maureen K Clifford » Sat May 22, 2021 10:11 am
COLLABORATIVE POEM - Writing Workshop
They cruised through ancient gorges, and past towering red stone cliffs
they stopped a while to load at Waikerie
and all the while the Murray simply flowed slowly along
past red gum forests and aged river scree.
The Paddlewheels turned slowly - and loud birdsong filled the air
the cerulean sky clear and cloudfree,
to right and left were vineyards struggling to grasp a hold
forerunners of a new wine industry.
MKC
The bow waves, in symmetry, rippled calmly to each bank
and lapped at ever changing watermarks,
and gave a sense of solace to a bloke of shady past,
as he pondered, the magistrates remarks!
But the chance to work a passage to a future unknown
gave hope to start afresh in new landmarks
so there upon the river he decided to reform
and have nought, but conscientious benchmarks!
R.B.
Reflecting on his Mary, whom he’d long ago let down
by bringing shady dealings to her door,
he cursed his gross stupidity and hoped in time to prove
his worthiness and win her love once more.
As paddlewheels rotated in a comforting refrain,
he pondered opportunities ahead;
a profitable future in a venture fresh and new—
a chance for happiness in life instead.
CL
The year was 1894 and time was ripe for change
at Waikerie – the place of “many wings” –
inhabited by birds that filled the wetlands and lagoons
and rose above the craggy cliffs like kings.
They’d granted him permission to be one of those who came
to form controlled expansion that involved
experimental settlement that may succeed or fail –
depending on what challenges were solved.
SJH
His Mary waited for him - she forgave his wicked ways
she saw the true man hiding in the shell
of the wastrel and the wanderer - the one who'd always fail,
who'd let her down and was a ne're do well
in some folks eyes, not hers it seems, for she loved this man true
and knew that he would make good given time.
They'd planned a life together - he was following his dream -
searching for land on which to grow the vine.
MKC
He sensed an opportunity was reaching out to him
this day, Just Waiting here for him to find.
Reminding him of not so long ago, when dreams and hopes
about a better life had filled his mind.
Away from squalid city life - a longing to be free
and leave behind the daily city grind.
Then settle down with Mary who had changed his wayward ways,
for which for many years he’d been so blind.
TEP
But in the world of shattered dreams and teary broken hearts
Alas! Poor Mary had not been alone,
for he had called himself Bill in his dealings of deceit
and what a devious path he had known!
But with the given names of, Cuthbert, Horace Percival,
he’d tried to leave that, all back in the past,
For he had sailed to Australia a remittance man
And ‘twas the ‘Old Dart’ where his mould was cast!
R.B.
But now, in this new land, the time had come to make his choice
to leave the past behind – begin anew -
not let past failings daunt him in a place where many shared
the secret sins that only convicts knew.
So as he stood with Mary on their vibrant virgin soil,
imagining the sunset on the vines
they’d plant and cultivate with sons and daughters by their side -
he felt a surge of hope, like mellow wines.
SJH
......
One hundred years have flown by it's now 1994
the PS Marion just chugs along
she's near one hundred years old too, her life full of changes -
though still her stalwart heart is going strong.
The vineyards on the river are all heavy with the grape
a bumper crop's been predicted this year.
On board a tall and rangy bloke - great, great grandson of Bill,
and Mary . He's an esteemed British peer
MKC