ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Swings and Roundabouts

The rain faded suddenly, exactly as it came,
Clouds which defeated suns retreated just the same
Leaving pools like shining jewels betraying lows and highs
Fading into shifting sands while staring at the skies

Some welcomed watered lawns and cupboards free from dust
Others only ever saw the damaged crops and rust
But she hung out another load
While he spread gravel on the road
And when their boots were neatly stowed
They sat and shared a crust

It’s only those who know the dry that know the joy rain brings
For what’s lost on the roundabouts is picked up on the swings.

Summer curled into the autumn as the days grew short
And evenings early hours now had little to report
The golden noise of bird and bee became a silent chill
While coolest greens and shadows turned to crimson on the hill

Many cursed the coming cold and railed against the night
Others revelled in the chance to pull the shutters tight
She took preserves from the store
He split timber – and cut more
And on the rug that warmed the floor
They shared the fire’s light

Autumns can take nothing that won’t come back in the Springs
For what’s lost on the roundabouts is picked up on the swings

While their lives are simple, they are never left in need
And if they smile, it’s not because they have not disagreed
She had youthful dreams that faded into aging skin
The settler’s suit he wore covered the traveller within

Yet many that they know have chased their dreams and travelled far
And many searched so hard they don’t know who or where they are
They have held on to the claim
They’ll live together - die the same
And they can neither praise nor blame
The people that they are

They both took care to share their life, with all it takes and brings
And what’s lost on the roundabouts is picked up on the swings.

h

Did you write this as a song Hully?????? It is lyrical and beautiful and love the hook. I hear the music

Cheers

Maureen

Hi Maureen,
- thankyou, and yes - sort of - I have a piece of music for it but not really a melody - think it will be a spoken piece - might change it a bit yet - another verse cycle (??) - but that is the current iteration of it...

cha

h

"G'day" Hully,
Well I expect most of us 'marrieds' know the swings and roundabouts.
Maybe even takes a few years under the belt to accept 'em !!

"Thanks" for this piece.
Jim.

Every now and then I come across a poem that just seems to do that little bit more This is one of them.

Thanks Hully. I really enjoyed this one. I will add it to my "poems to revisit" list.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Sue

Lovely Hully. There's a lot to think about there. It's a poem I'll be reading again.

Heather

...
Hully you old buggar... how the devil are you.

Magic read old mate.
...c

A you beaut poem. Liked the structure a lot.

Mal

Good to see something from you again Mr Hully.

G'day Hully,

Very different but the intention of a 'spoken with music' piece, is fairly evident after having read the whole thing. At first I was rather bothered by the lay out or the rhyming pattern but by the end I could feel why it looks like it does.
Some of the lines prompt a bit of a think, which is good. Many of us (I include myself) try to jam too much detail in and get stuck in a rut. I always enjoy your work. Thanks for sharing.