ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

THE LAND ENDURES

There’s a tinge of green appearing over the parched dusty plains.
Pink new shoots are emerging on the Ironbark again,
tiny small lambs jump and gambol for nothing will them detain,
and it’s wonderful just how the land endures.

The battle flags are flying and the stench of death’s around.
There’s the sound of shrapnel flying, mortar shells shaking the ground.
Mothers eyes are searching, seeking for those letters not yet found.
and despite the hurt you see – the land endures.

There are miners sweating, buried in the womb of Mother Earth,
deep below where none can reach them – those above know each mans worth
as a nation sits and hopes and prays from Cairns across to Perth
and yet through it all we see the land endure.

There are homeless on our streets, and hopelessness throughout our land.
Unemployment, desperation, aged and sick – a motley band.
There are those who help and reach out, there are some don’t understand,
but despite our faults we see the land endure.

She has been here since creation. She has seen the flood and fire,
felt the parched dry lips of drought – been eroded by desire
of man, for her hearts riches which he plunders for his pyre
of self destruction . But it seems the land endures.


Maureen Clifford ©

G'day Maureen...
Gee I like this. The rhyme pattern aaab isn't always to my taste, but this works very nicely.
I reckon this has the potential for a Maureen K. Clifford opus. I hope you keep this one simmering on the back-burner.

Cheers, Will.

G'day Maureen.

As this is in the workshop section I hope it is OK to pick a bit. It bothers me to have 'green' twice in one line. It isn't a 'rule' but I feel it looks 'off'. You may have a definite reason for using this. If so please explain.

here you go .... look how many 'x's I've used. Bad form! Tut Tut I will take myself outside and give me a good talking to.

Oh well Zondrae that would be because the proof reader retired due to monetary shortages . It seems her parched plains were in fact dusty rather than green and the green was a figment of her over active imagination which was not at all appreciated by the writer.

I have rectified the error, spoken most severely to the proof reader - actually threatened her with eviction if she doesn't mend her ways - she seems to get a bit doo lally on occasions - must be that Baileys she keeps imbibing.

Thanks for noticing

Cheers

Maureen

G'day Maureen.

Lucky I have a good mate who is a pom, "doo lally", tut, tut. not an Aussie expression. I know what it means and the origin being a village in India, I wonder who else knows the meaning.

Are you still writing a poem every day? I'll have to check the 'other' site to see if you have done a homework poem this week. Last time I checked - mine was the only one. Even Bernard hadn't done one. It is a silly topic so I don't blame people for not doing it.

You must have a 'Old Dogs' poem lying around. That is the monthly topic, also due tonight. If possible before 10.pm .. oh it is later than I thought.. Nighty night, (I have to finish my monthly poem)

Hi Maureen K Clifford!!!

Lovely poem - and so true - the land endures through whatever besets us!!

How're your plans for coming over to the west going????

Catchya
IRene

Ahhh! maureen me lass Bailleys may be the necter of the Irish God But Rum is there for the out back of Aussie land

Bill the old billy pot or was it the rum pot

G/day Maureen,
Nice poem and what a good subject as well, I was so pleased with my one that I have kept it for a comp somewhere. Mind you I might be the only one who see's anything in it.

Cheers Terry