ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

NATURE'S LARDER ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

The dark Mangroves are not boring there is so much going on.
You might want to take the Aeroguard to halt the buzzing throng
of mosquitoes that no doubt with you will want to tag along
as the Pelicans stand watching on the sand.

There's some action on the beach as hermit crabs scurry about
and a dead fish head's attractive of that fact there is no doubt
and the actions fast and furious now that the tide's gone out
and the shrieking gulls take off, and fly, and land.

A white crane by the mangroves dips his head in stately dance,
as he peers into the water for a fish on his last chance
and he moves slow, quite ponderous. His moves charm and entrance
just like Fred Astaire - his outfits rather grand.

On the headland folks are searching where the oysters crowd the rocks.
A free feed for the taking. Nature's own Pandora's Box
which is hidden by the high tides and each oyster tightly locks
its fragile shell on the rockface 'neath seaweed strands.

The splash of jumping mullet makes one wish now for a net
and the taste buds salivate at thought of fish on a baguette
dripping with butter - fresh and salty, what you see is what you get
but alas, that thought's a dream of a gourmand.

Well-painted scene, Maureen - I can smell the salt air!! Good and different rhyme scheme too - the aaab cccb is effective.

These prompts are so evocative that they present a whole new challenge - how to approach the subject from a different angle! Mmm ...

Cheers
Shelley

You're quick off the mark Maureen. And managed to weave all the phrases into the seaside picture.

I love a challenge Neville and probably use all the prompts 95% of the time just because I can Thank you for relieving my 'brain strain' this week and supplying them.

Go for it Shelley - I am sure you will come up with a pearler - thank you for taking the time to read my scribblys

What do you think about this for a free verse, Maureen?

Oysters crowd the rocks
a white crane by the mangroves
splash of jumping mullet
pelicans stand on the sand
shrieking gulls

There you go - homework done!

Just joking ...

Aiyah! So quick off the mark, Maureen! Well, I must say I do like this - the rhyme scheme is, as Shelley says, both different and effective. Also, the scene you paint is such that the senses of smell, hearing, sight, touch and taste are all aroused...You can hear the gulls, mosquitos and jumping mullet, smell the fish and oysters - and considering I've not had lunch yet, you've made my mouth water with that baguette!

Nice one Maureen,
Not ever being a beach baby..these prompts are are little foreign to me.
You make the lifestyle sound (and taste) pleasurable though.

OK Shelley, challenge accepted!!

Right oh you mob - hop to it.

Free verse is fine by me Shelley and Wendy is up for the challenge as well - go for it Ladies

Thank you Catherine - sometimes different works sometimes it doesn't but never afraid to give it a whirl

Being a fisherman by choice, you've won me Maureen.
You've left me dreaming of trying a fisherman's basket at a sea food spot somewhere.

Cheers Terry