ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Dawn on the ranges.

© Ross Magnay 30/4/11

Sentinels stand silently as desert morn arrives,
their silhouettes of darkness tower above the desert sand,
Desert creatures practicing their early morning calls,
as if in some rehearsal for a mighty desert band.
Navy backdrop fading into shades of grey and pink,
stars then shut their eyelids for another desert day.
Then like a great magician Mother Nature sweeps her hand,
and whisks the cloak of darkness clear away.

Then golden orb smears colour ‘cross an endless desert sky,
the sentinels uncloaked now reveal the desert’s spine.
The backbone of the outback stretching far across the land,
the rocky vertebrae are standing roughly in a line.
A haven for the creatures and the ancient people’s tales,
a place to start the rivers and the streams,
inspiration for the artists; for the palette and the brush,
a place to start the stories and the ancient peoples dreams.

WOW - Ross can't tell you how much I like this it is magical - beautiful words. Shades of Namatjira Thank you for sharing

Cheers

Maureen

Beautiful Ross. You've described the MacDonnell Ranges perfectly. Love it. First went there as a 14 year old and have some very fond memories.

The backbone of the outback stretching far across the land,

Heather

Wow , that long ago Heather !

Just a coupla years Nev. We went out to Gosse's Bluff, Hermannsburg Mission (that was an eyeopener, even back then), Palm Valley and Kings Canyon and of course Ayers Rock and the Olgas (as they were back then). The Stuart Hwy was all corrugations back then, geez it was rough -- I mean a coupla years ago. Then back home via the Flinders Ranges. Yeah, it was a pretty cool trip for a 14 year old (& I met my first boyfriend - I'd forgotten that - very forgettable!) I came home thinking I'd like to be a nurse and work with Aboriginal people but ended up not going down that path.

Heather

You've been very privileged Heather, I've never been there.

Interesting how you have responded to the outback mountains Ross. The Australian landscape is very mystic,it seems to transcend the mere material structure.

G/day Ross, reminds me of a few places over this way, I should be out there now but my body seems to be falling to bits at the moment. Hope to tie it up with a bit of fencing wire and get moving again soon.
An excellent description Ross mind you you're preaching to the converted mate.

Cheers keep them coming.

Terry

Beautiful pictures you have painted Ross- I love it!!
The early morning light across the land is just magical, isn't it?

I had to go to Perth for a meeting on Friday, and was driving the coastal road at sunrise. It was just beautiful - with the soft morning light gilding the white sand dunes and the ocean!! I thought to write a poem (but I was busy finished the one I was sending off for the BS comp!!), but I could not have captured it as well as you have these scenes!! I just love the way you have described everything.

Catchya
IRene

Onya Ross . . . great little eloquent snap shot of your patch. Must get out that way one day.

Cheers, Marty

Thanks Matt, love to see you out here!

Glad you like it Maureen, there are a couple of technical things wrong , but I was a bit slack and just wrote and posted, might have a look at them one day.

I first came here when you were about 14 too Heather, but we moved here 31/12/93! If you had taken the nursing option you would be sure of one thing...you would never be unemployed out here!...by the way it is the Mac Donnell Ranges.

Yes Neville, though I am not what I would class as superstitious, there does seem to be something mystical about some parts of the country.

I think the inland of our great country is pretty similar all over Terry.

Thanks Irene, no need to rub my nose in the coastal bit.....though I am presently a desert dweller, we are striving for a sea change at the moment.

Yeah do it Marty, give me a yell and we could blow the froth off a couple with Matt.