River City

[Dennis N O'Brien]

River City

The tall trees that once clothed the banks
Beneath which clear, the waters streamed,
Where parrots bright in colours screamed
From mangroves by its sandy flanks
And rocky bars by pools that gleamed
With flashing schools of swimming fish
Like silver clouds of weaving light;
Here none, in truth, could ever wish
For better than this peaceful sight
As simple men with nets and spears
Would gather all that Nature gave
O’er centuries of wondrous years
'Til each lay resting in his grave.

These thoughts I ponder as I stroll
Through this great city in the night
Beneath the towering buildings bright
And watch the spreading waves that roll
From ferry boats that burn with light
And wonder has this place a soul
That yearns for those fair days now past
When man’s ways took a lesser toll
And Nature built a scene to last,
And could it come to pass one day
In say, a thousand years or so,
That man has found a better way
To use the gifts that Gods bestow.

© Dennis N. O'Brien, 2011, 2012

[Neville Briggs]

That is a very good effort I think, Dennis. I would urge you, as I urge everyone ( me included ) , to read modern poetry as well as the classic writers to get a feel for the way modern language usage has affected poetry writing.

[william williams]

Hi Dennis Congrats on the way you have told of the old and told of the present a good read Mate

Bill the old battler

[Dennis N O'Brien]

Thanks Neville and Bill.

[warooa]

G'day Dennis . . that's well-written, succinct and evocative.

Goodonya.

Cheers, Marty

ps. Welcome to the forum

[Maureen K Clifford]

I like it - the old Brisbane river does have a charm all of her own even when she rages out of control but you captured her in a quiet moment . Very much enjoyed this

Cheers

Maureen

[Dennis N O'Brien]

Thanks Marty, and yes Maureen it is of course Brisbane. I read an account by an early visitor who said the water was clear and alive with schools of fish. I've probably been a little rude to post 2 poems without introducing myself (wasn't sure of the procedure) but will formalize my membership in a day or three and fix things up then.
Cheers to all
Dennis

[Hully]

Tops - very tops indeed !

h