The first day of the year

[Hully]

We crossed the Queensland border
When the day was barely new
As we said goodbye to Hungerford
Farewelling the Paroo
We were running from our demons
As the early hours crept
For we left them in the old year
And departed while they slept

We had spent a lot of laughter
And had wasted a few tears
For the cargo that we carried
Had been with us many years
And the Cuttaburra Basin
Wrapped around us as we fled
With each other day behind us
And one just one new day ahead

We had one new day to try to
Build a future out of fear
And we never hesitated on
On the first day of the year

When we came upon the Warrego
The red dust filled the skies
We threw ourselves into the stream
In order to baptise
And we prayed upon the water
For a better way to live
Though only we could judge ourselves
And only we forgive

For each devil there’s an angel
For each blessing there’s a sin
For each journey there’s a traveller
And a time they must begin
For each heart there is another
And a promise to adhere
It’s a time to make that promise
On the first day of the year

Now the Darling wraps around us
As it breaks out of its banks
It will carry many sins away
Without a word of thanks
It will bring new life in this New Year
And new treasures to find
While Western rivers swallow up
The things we’ve left behind

Now the road is long and straight
The horizon free and clear
As the new sun shines upon us
On the first day of the year.

h

[manfredvijars]

... a clensing renewal (and maybe redemption) from a baptism of mud?
The fifth stanza is rather poignent, well done Hully.

... and all the best for the New Year ...

[william williams]

con grats Hully brings back many memories of Hungerford and the Paroo and the road to Willcania

thanks mate Bill W

[Bellobazza]

G'day Hully...
Lovely insights as usual. Love this bit:
"Though only we could judge ourselves
And only we forgive".

How much easier to forgive others if we first forgive ourselves?
What a good New Year's resolution...to forgive oneself.

Cheers, Will.

[Neville Briggs]

G'day Hully, If Henry Lawson could see the Hungerford pub to-day I guess he wouldn't notice much has changed over the years.


Neville

[Hully]

Thanks fellas and happy new year to all,
Neville I don't think much has changed out there you know.....they still talk about a cup of warm yeast when you arrive...
I walked from Bourke to Hungerford a few years back in honour of Henry - middle of summer....bloody nearly killed me...journal here if you're interested

http://www.hullyjoe.com/proj_Hungerford.html

there are a couple of blokes walking out there again soon I think...??

cha

h

[manfredvijars]

... a ripper read Hully, a ripper read ... Thanks for sharing ...

[Neville Briggs]

That's an adventure all right, from Bourke to Hungerford on foot ! At least it's flat but walking in that bulldust !!! Include me out !



Neville