Collaborative Poem ... Up to Verse 7

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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Collaborative Poem ... Up to Verse 7

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:13 pm

1...We all live in Australia, we know the joy that brings
but right now with the flooding we wish that we had wings.
Our Northern Territory folks in the communities
are getting just a trifle wet - from rivers they must flee.
The folk at Pigeon Hole have left - the army came to help
thank God they saved the little dog that was about to whelp -
the kids of course thought it great fun but on the adult's faces
we saw the fear, the stress and strain - the lines no time erases.
mkc.

2 ...Kalkarindji’s drowning and I’m standing here aghast,
just staring at the flooding as belongings eddy past.
Water covers everything, from shop to school and road—
we’re speechless at destruction of each treasured, lost abode.
They’re rescuing from Daguragu, Pigeon Hill and here,
for nothing can assuage such wrath of nature - this is clear.
I’m searching now for helicopter’s presence in the sky
whilst all I see is bleak despair in every anxious eye.
CL

3. There’s flooding everywhere now and has hit the west as well,
the north is under water, it’s as wet as flamen hell.
The roads have all been scoured out, the bridges swept away,
and croc’s are roaming everywhere, or so the locals say.
With tucker and essentials gone there’s nothing left to cook,
and beer is nowhere to be found so things are blooming crook.
But they’re a tough old mob up here, you know they’ll see it through,
as long as they have lubricant - a bit of scotch will do.
TP

4. ...Two women knew they must get out they made their preparations
and loaded up the Ute and dog and knew their destination.
When they set out the road was clear - but now no time to dither
The main road to Lajamanu had transformed to a river.
Their vehicle was stranded and the water rising higher
and via 'sat' phone police were called to organize a flyer.
There was no quick solution - they must stay there overnight,
with the waters rising higher they were fearful of their plight.

5 ...Next day they heard the chopper coming. Sweet relief - for sure
They climbed aboard with Charlie held tight in their arms, secure.
Their vehicle might be recovered later on with luck
right now it sat in isolated splendour - truly stuck.
Kalkarindji waited - it was once known as Wave Hill -
home to Vincent Lingiari - a Gurindji man, strong willed;
who led his people off the land for a seven year strike -
gathered them at Daguragu - a precious sacred site
mkc

6 ...And Vincent he made waves on Wave Hill station way out there,
as Vesteys were the owners, paying wages so unfair!
The strike though proved, (though very hard) of Seven years well spent,
involving government intervention, that helped cement,
negotiation for part of, native land to be returned
That gave them back some dignity, a corner had been turned.
But now the waves were different, being of the flooding kind,
as Victoria River turned, from life-blood to …maligned!
R.B.

7..... Those Territorian folks are tough - they overcome most things
Surviving war in Darwin when the enemy had wings
and bombed the crap right out of them .. sixty four times .. that's right
The yellow peril sprouted wings, invaded overnight.
Eight ships out in the harbour sunk - more bombs than at Pearl Harbour
but these tough Aussies don't give up, it just made them fight harder
Over two hundred lives were lost and infrastructure shattered
the USS Peary was sunk and every life lost mattered.
mkc
Last edited by Maureen K Clifford on Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

User avatar
Maureen K Clifford
Posts: 8047
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
Contact:

Re: Collaborative Poem ... Up to Verse 7

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:29 pm

I have shifted a couple of the verses around to give a better flow - no pun intended :lol:
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Collaborative Poem ... Up to Verse 7

Post by Terry » Fri Mar 17, 2023 11:01 am

Thursday poem

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:13 pm
1...We all live in Australia, we know the joy that brings
but right now with the flooding we wish that we had wings.
Our Northern Territory folks in the communities
are getting just a trifle wet - from rivers they must flee.
The folk at Pigeon Hole have left - the army came to help
thank God they saved the little dog that was about to whelp -
the kids of course thought it great fun but on the adult's faces
we saw the fear, the stress and strain - the lines no time erases.
mkc.

2 ...Kalkarindji’s drowning and I’m standing here aghast,
just staring at the flooding as belongings eddy past.
Water covers everything, from shop to school and road—
we’re speechless at destruction of each treasured, lost abode.
They’re rescuing from Daguragu, Pigeon Hill and here,
for nothing can assuage such wrath of nature - this is clear.
I’m searching now for helicopter’s presence in the sky
whilst all I see is bleak despair in every anxious eye.
CL

3 ...Two women knew they must get out they made their preparations
and loaded up the Ute and dog and knew their destination.
When they set out the road was clear - but now no time to dither
The main road to Lajamanu had transformed to a river.
Their vehicle was stranded and the water rising higher
and via 'sat' phone police were called to organize a flyer.
There was no quick solution - they must stay there overnight,
with the waters rising higher they were fearful of their plight.

4 ...Next day they heard the chopper coming. Sweet relief - for sure
They climbed aboard with Charlie held tight in their arms, secure.
Their vehicle might be recovered later on with luck
right now it sat in isolated splendour - truly stuck.
Kalkarindji waited - it was once known as Wave Hill -
home to Vincent Lingiari - a Gurindji man, strong willed;
who led his people off the land for a seven year strike -
gathered them at Daguragu - a precious sacred site
mkc

5 There’s flooding everywhere now and has hit the west as well,
the north is under water, it’s as wet as flamen hell.
The roads have all been scoured out, the bridges swept away,
and croc’s are roaming everywhere, or so the locals say.
With tucker and essentials gone there’s nothing left to cook,
and beer is nowhere to be found so things are blooming crook.
But they’re a tough old mob up here, you know they’ll see it through,
as long as they have lubricant - a bit of scotch will do.
TP

6 ...And Vincent he made waves on Wave Hill station way out there,
as Vesteys were the owners, paying wages so unfair!
The strike though proved, (though very hard) of Seven years well spent,
involving government intervention, that helped cement,
negotiation for part of, native land to be returned
That gave them back some dignity, a corner had been turned.
But now the waves were different, being of the flooding kind,
as Victoria River turned, from life-blood to …maligned!
R.B.

7..... Those Territorian folks are tough - they overcome most things
Surviving war in Darwin when the enemy had wings
and bombed the crap right out of them .. sixty four times .. that's right
The yellow peril sprouted wings, invaded overnight.
Eight ships out in the harbour sunk - more bombs than at Pearl Harbour
but these tough Aussies don't give up, it just made them fight harder
Over two hundred lives were lost and infrastructure shattered
the USS Peary was sunk and every life lost mattered.
mkc

I have shifted (8) to a new post
TP

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