ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Just in time!

RETIRE IN SYDNEY?
(c) Shelley Hansen 26/6/21

Retire in Sydney? Maybe that's the dream escape for some -
to dine on fish and chips at Watson's Bay,
perhaps to own a penthouse or a mansion at The Rocks,
or join the party crowd to drink and play.

Not me! I love the Outback, and I'd struggle hard to find
fulfilment on a teeming city street.
So hitch me up a caravan and point me to the west,
for there I'll find serenity - complete!

Yes, cover me in sunshine on the wide and open plain
and let me see the colours of the earth
that shout with bold exuberance, competing with the sky,
while kookaburras share the love with mirth.

No harbour waters here! Artesian springs from underground
swell up with steam arising from their source.
In fruitful season, billabongs provide a sanctuary
as waving grasses line the watercourse.

Here Banjo waltzed Matilda, Andy brought the cattle home,
the drover's wife endured each lonely year.
Their lives are etched in folklore through iconic Aussie verse
that's styled to sweet perfection to the ear.

So wrap up warm for winter, for the nights are somewhat chill,
and join me where the birds outnumber cars -
and marvel at the rising moon that's close enough to touch,
performing in a theatre of stars!

I'm with you Shelley, it's the outback life for me.
It will be frosty in the mornings at the moment, well at least out in the country that I know,
but hey, that's a small price to pay I reckon.

Nicely crafted crafted Shelley - I always enjoy yours.

Terry

Thanks Terry - I thought that subject would appeal to you!

Well done Shelley, I can certainly relate to that.
''where the birds outnumber cars"! yep that would do me too!
Enjoyed the read.
Cheers
Ron.
ps. received my last issue of Outback mag and was great to see your poem "Bittersweet Harvest" in there, well done.

Good one Shelley and I'm with you as well - the big cities and even the smaller ones hold no attraction for me, and I well recall an old mate of mine saying - that it didn't matter what big city you visited across the world - they were all the same. Overcrowded, noisy and full of MacDonalds Not too far off the mark in reality. At least our country areas here in Australia are generally pollution free - the air quality is better and painters and photographers claim the light is cleaner as well - no arguments from me on that one. Loved the poem, enjoyed the read and thank you for sharing it

Thanks Ron and Maureen - yes, I don't think I'll get too many arguments in this group about the beauty of the great outdoors!

Thanks Ron, it was a thrill to have my poem in the Outback magazine. All credit goes to the tireless Blackened Billy Co-Ordinator Janine Keating. RM Wiliams is a competition sponsor, and she told them it's not much point sponsoring the competition if you don't publish the winner!

Oh, well done, Shelley! Love that last line especially - you have captured some wonderful images here, that's for sure!