Homework WE 13/7/15 - "The Homestead"

[Shelley Hansen]

Another fascinating set of prompts, Maureen! My apologies for my lack of originality ... I still seem to be stuck in the groove of "old houses"! Anyway, here goes ...

THE HOMESTEAD
(c) Shelley Hansen 2015

The Homestead has not seen the sun on snow
nor sat above a rivulet of thaw.
Its winter's calm benevolence is slow
and fleeting - till the heat returns once more.

But if these walls could talk, then from the heart
they may, perhaps, be heard to tell us this ...
"Ah! This is Queensland, where the tropics start
and summer is awakened with a kiss!

I've seen the valley flood plains come alive
with torrents whipped by cyclone's angry frown.
I've watched the cattle struggle to survive
the drought that turns their verdant fields to brown.

I've watched the generations come and go
at first in ships - and now in metal birds!
I've seen their joys and sorrows ebb and flow
and kept the secret of their many words.

So now I stand alone upon this ridge
and seem to hear their whispers in the night.
I watch each one traverse my garden bridge ...
(or is it just a trick of morning light?)"

[Maureen K Clifford]

Great capture from a different perspective - and your walls talk - haven't we all said at some time 'if only these walls could talk' I like where you came from with this poem Shelley - nicely crafted

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks Maureen.

A postscript - I have a monthly poetry spot on ABC Local Radio. Last Saturday morning I mentioned the upcoming Bundy Muster and Queensland Poetry Championships on 3-5 July. Unbeknown to me, the Saturday presenter gave my details to the weekday morning show presenter, who rang me today to record an interview (very much off-the-cuff!) for his program tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

I expected him to simply ask the details of the championships - who, when, where etc - and I had that information to hand. However he surprised me by carrying on the conversation into "what do judges look for", "how popular is bush poetry and why", "what makes a good poet", "how important are competitions" and similar questions.

As I mentioned, this was all impromptu so I had to do some quick thinking! Thank goodness for the recent spate of stimulating discussions on this Forum, where we've been sharing thoughts on these very subjects - so they were relatively fresh in my mind!

Then he asked me if I could recite a short bush poem I had written - about a minute in length. Well, you guessed it, I plunged into this latest homework poem, which I said was composed for a poetry writing workshop on a set theme. I changed the title to "If These Walls Could Talk". So tomorrow morning I and my poem will be beaming across the Wide Bay on ABC Local Radio!

You never know what's around the corner, do you??? Anyway, it will be good publicity for the Championships. ABC Local Radio is a staunch support of poetry, and the various presenters regularly feature the work of local poets. It's great for us.

Cheers, Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Lovely poem Shelley - and well done answering those questions on the ABC too, especially those that were an unexpected surprise! I'm sure I would have been lost for words as usual if caught on the hop like that so really admire the way you handled it so well. Anyway, in this poem you have captured the perspective and picture really well from the very first stanza to the last - so many generations passing through these old houses!

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you for your kind words, Catherine! As for the ABC, we shall see when it is broadcast tomorrow! I'm sure I'll be able to think of a thousand ways I could have said it better ... but you know the old saying about the spent arrow and the spoken word!!!

Cheers, Shelley

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good for you Shelley - and I am sure your interview ticked all the boxes - your eloquence would I think get you through anything even if it did come from left field at the time. Lucky you had a short poem handy

[Shelley Hansen]

Yes indeed - good thing I had the poem - thanks to you Maureen

Thank you for your kind words - I don't know about eloquence, but it has just been on the radio now, and I'm happy with how it sounded. Let's hope it generates a bit more public interest in the championships.

David Dowsett the ABC presenter said my little poem was "lovely" - and if that was a sample I should win lots of prizes!! I told him with remarks like that he'd make a good judge That ended the interview on a nice light note!

Rod and I are looking forward very much to the weekend in Bundaberg - the stalwarts of the Bundy Poets really work hard and create a great atmosphere of friendship and mutual support rather than "competitiveness", which is just wonderful and not always easy to achieve. It will be lovely to catch up again with poets from Brisbane, Townsville, NSW and Victoria - as well as the local crew. The concert with Marco Gliori, Gary Fogarty and Bill Kearns on Saturday night will be a highlight, and we always enjoy being part of the walkup concert on Friday night - Rod and I will be doing one of our duos for that. Lots of fun

Best Regards
Shelley

[Neville Briggs]

Well done Shelley.

[Trisha Patterson]

Nice one Shelley, and I loved your Music Teacher poem too.
Trish

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks so much Trish. My music teacher was a remarkable lady.

Cheers, Shelley