HOMEWORK FOR OCTOBER ... Wilabalangaloo

[Maureen K Clifford]

Wilabalangaloo. ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet


If you ever go down the Murray
stop at Wilabalangaloo.
it's just on the outskirts of Berri -
where the blue leaved mallee lives too,
sharing wilderness space with rare bird species,
the small blue wrens and Cockatoo,
there's so much to see, a day's not enough
to view Wilabalangaloo..

The smell of the Jasmine is so sweet
out at Wilabalangaloo.
Sit quiet - hear the patter of small feet
and the thump of the kangaroo.
You can marvel all day at red sandstone cliffs
as so many day-trippers do,
and wonder if black men once wore the red
soil from Wilabalangaloo.

The Murray River flows, creeping slow
lazy Wilabalangaloo.
White clouds reflect in water below
and a Cormorant sits askew.
This place, named for yellow and red and brown stones -
Desert cassia, appeals to
a hungry Thornbill in the bright sunshine
feeds at Wilabalangaloo.

Ajuga Australis lifts its head
there at Wilabalangaloo.
Offers purple blossoms to the sun
'neath the sky of deep cobalt blue.
The honeybees gather - its nectar to sup
and sip at a globule of dew
captured in its throat - a sparkling jewel
gem of Wilabalangaloo.

A tree with flood levels clearly marked
leans at Wilabalangaloo
and its gnarled roots writhe at its base
as tortured souls are known to do.
In the seventeen ninety floods we can see
it rose sixteen metres - it's true,
Swallows now nest where the flood waters were
once at Wilabalangaloo


Step back in time - come visit this place
here at Wilabalangaloo
sense the spirit of the ancient ones
a feeling of deja vu,
as you stand and gaze from a towering cliff
and absorb the beautiful view.
a native moorhen with her young appears...
a young queen with her retinue

***Wilabalangaloo is a beautiful little spot with stunning views just outside of Berri in South Australia. The Nature Reserve was donated to the National Trust in 1971 as a flora and fauna reserve. It was originally part of the large grazing property, Cobdogla Station. The name Wilabalangaloo is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘the place of red, yellow and brown stones’, a link to the colours in the cliffs.

[Ron]

Well done Maureen, a very good descriptive poem.
I have been through that way quite a few times, but always pressed for time one way or another!
After reading your poem I will have to make an effort to have a look at Wilabalangaloo if I pass through that way again.
Enjoyed the read, thank you.
Cheers
Ron

[Terry]

Sounds Great Maureen

In My distant youth I did spend a bit of time around Berri and may well have got to Wilabalangaloo,
but the fog ancient memory refuses to lift.
But even if I didn't get there then I have now, thanks.

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Ron and Terry for reading and commenting and delighted my words reached out to you both

[Catherine Lee]

Lovely images here, Maureen - a delight to read. Not a place I've ever been but you certainly make it sound appealing xx