ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

OCEAN VIEWS

Someone one may find some fine romance
In the mulga scrub or the plains;
We’d rather walk where the tide ebb flows
And a restless surf swell reigns.

We could go where the west wind blows
Where cockies scream in flocks;
We’d rather go by the cool salt creek
Where the oysters crowd the rocks.

There, out along a windswept bar
A pelican cohort poses
With stern and silent thinking stares;
Looking down their noses.

And in the mangroves tangled weave
A bright white angel stands
In patient watching of the stream
Where a jumping mullet lands.

There’s space for quiet reflective pause
In time worn hills of the bush,
While by the shore we hear the waves
Roar in ever restless rush.

There’s legends made of a mystic land;
Of life on a lonely track;
But we love best, the ocean views
Where the seas foam in and back.

A pelican cohort poses
With stern and silent thinking stares;
Looking down their noses.

Ha! They are just like that Nev!
Great word picture.

Thanks Wendy.

That is a ripper of a poem Neville - I love the reference to the bright white angel in the mangroves - presuming a white crane or maybe an Ibis - but a lovely description whatever bird it is. Nicely crafted

Thanks for the encouragement Maureen.

Totally in agreement here - in fact I think this has to be one of my favourites ever of yours, Neville! You really have painted a beautiful picture, and I can really relate as well, since I love the ocean so much!

Wow thanks for the compliment and encouragement Catherine

Excellent word picture Neville, drawing appropriate comparisons between the two different sides of Australia.

I liked the pelican description too, but also the second verse ... two very different “crowds” - cockies and oysters! We often read of the peace of the outback and the anger of the restless sea ... but you have successfully painted the picture in reverse - all noise and bluster in the West, versus silent clustering in a calm ocean pool. Well done!

Cheers
Shelley

Well written Neville,
Like Wendy I liked the Pelican line as well - so apt!
In fact the whole poem was really descriptive and well thought out.

Cheers Terry