H/work week ending 6.1.20 - RURAL AID

[Maureen K Clifford]

RURAL AID .... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet

Though the lowing of cattle came faint on the breeze,
there was no manger here to be seen,
just an empty bathtub in a paddock of dust
and yet nowhere a blade of grass green.
Tired and dusty gum trees stood with bark shining white
decked in cream and crimson mistletoe in the night
whilst the stars up above were all twinkling and bright ...
we all heard the Boobook's victim scream.

Keep a watch from your home for the word had gone round
there was smoke up on Mulligans Butte
Old Tom and son Joe had at once headed out
with the mop up unit on the Ute.
They checked in on the CB they'd put the fire out
not sure how it started but there was no doubt
'twas as dry as chips with no wildlife about
the fire danger marked now as acute.

Two tired weary faces both turned to the west
as the soft evening shadows were falling
whilst the last scarlet rays of old Sol went to rest
and somewhere a mopoke was calling.
A jingling quart pot Menneke bell chimed
attached to old Blossom who up the hill climbed
followed by the milkers - no longer confined,
heading back to their calves who were bawling.

It was close now to Christmas, the year had been tough,
as to profits - well there wasn't any.
They'd budgeted, destocked, and cut to the bone
but it left them with nary a penny.
There'd be no liquor this year for liquor was banned
every cent went on fodder, their Christmas ham canned,
there'd be food on the table - though none of it grand
but they still loved this place - him and Jenny.

Then faint in the distance they heard the soft rumble,
of big rigs slowly working through gears
as they climbed up the pinch of Widowmakers Hill
with its sharp turns and drop offs and sheers
A pale glimmer of light seemed to waver and fall
highlighting the branches of gum trees and all
the dusty tired wattle that craved some rainfall ....
then behold, magically there appears.

There were three big trucks full laden with water and hay
with their air horns blasting a refrain,
who turned in at their gate, and came down their driveway
their delight they just couldn't contain.
There were big smiles now showing on careworn lined faces,
brawny hands slapping backs, and blokey embraces
and a tear or two slipped and left watery traces
that had nothing to do seems with rain.

Well I'd just seen a miracle happen out there
I'm converted and now a believer
For it's always far better to give when you can
and swallow pride when you're a receiver.
'twas a mere act of kindness from many who cared
they didn't know him - but stories had been aired.
Farms were doing it tough and every dollar shared
was an absolute gut stress reliever.
Heartfelt thanks to the Buy a Bale conceiver

20.12.19 .... https://www.buyabale.com.au/

[Shelley Hansen]

Prompt and prolific as ever, Maureen!

[Maureen K Clifford]

It's what happens when I get bored

[Neville Briggs]

Maureen, let me introduce you to that rarest of animals, the politician who is in want and subsisting on handouts.

[Catherine Lee]

Oh well done Maureen - seems I might need to get bored more often - you are so prolific!