ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WAITING FOR SALVATION

Maureen Clifford © 04/13



Between the lines a touch of mauve and bright green is emerging
erupting ‘tween the ballast on the rails.
A little touch of whimsy growing ‘neath the baking sun
and pretty though it is it offers salvation to none.
It’s tough as nails and toxic, not Australia’s favoured son
and being cursed, the beauty somewhat pales.

The setting sun casts shadows, tingeing deep the aged brick walls -
to Matisse rose madder, vibrant cherry red
in sync with rusting iron rails and corrugated roof,
that stood times test and stands there still, an edifice of proof.
On cold and frosty winter mornings, demeanour aloof
they wait for trains that long ago have fled.

The platform’s bare at this hour, there’s no tread of tramping feet,
no lovers sharing one final embrace.
No wreaths of steam escaping from a locomotives maw.
No orders being shouted as there surely was before
when uniformed men gathered in the precursor to war.
The platform waits and offers breathing space.

Between the rails a touch of mauve and bright green is emerging
no doubt each year thats passed its done the same.
A little touch of whimsy, whose race is not yet run
a constant curse to graziers and Patterson was one.
Tough like the Anzacs, it too fights beneath a rising sun
this little Echium – Salvation Jane.

Goodonya Maureen. Patterson's Curse they call it round her I think.

My late father -in-law was brought up on a farm and hated the stuff, so my wife once, mischievously offered him some Patterson's Curse honey to taste. She didn't tell him the origin until after he had pronounced the honey to be very good. He made a bit of a protest but still liked the honey.

When I saw " Matisse rose madder " I wondered if you are still having a go at the art work. You could do a painting of the old railway station. Russell Drysdale did the railway station at Albury.

I'm pleased to hear that something good comes from Patterson's Curse Neville. They'd make plenty of honey in some parts.

I've got a paddock of the horrible stuff Maureen and it's taken years of annual spraying but I think I'm finally getting on top of it. The seeds are viable for something like nine years and if you miss one plant you have another nine years of work ahead of you.

Pretty colour but!

Heather

Discovered I am not a passionate painter Neville and the enthusiasm wanes - after all what does one do with paintings once they are done, if you can't sell them they become just more clutter. I've painted the girls and the front paddock of Springdale so honour has been satisified.

Of course Elly was never at Springdale and certainly never met Khadizia but it is my poetic licence to put them together with a few woollies - wouldn't win any prizes in art shows though



The little blue weed is very beautiful and I had heard about the honey as well although have never tasted it. It certainly is a curse though as it just ruins good pasture and is I believe toxic to horses. Like lantana it was an introduced species because some English lady many many moons ago decided the flower was a pretty addition to her garden

Time to get a frame for your dog picture Maureen.

I know what you mean about the clutter. You could always do watercolours on small sheets of paper and keep them in a folder. Less clutter.
I had several oils cluttering up the place, I got nothing for them at the art shows, so I ended up giving them away to a local charity for a fund raiser night and they auctioned them for nearly a thousand dollars Oh well.

It's an interesting photo of the railway station. I like the dark clouds in the picture. I have been putting my mind to something for homework, so far,..no good. Sorry.

Next time you've got an oil that is cluttering I'll take it off your hands Neville.

I wouldn't count on a profit.