ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A long time ago I posted an abbreviated version of this.
After reading Eliza lovely poem, I thought this might continue with the mood - Terry

SILHOUETTES AND SILENCE

While resting back at camp I watched the light begin to fade,
the trees were all in silhouette, the hills a darker shade.
A narrow band of tinted sky marked where the sun had set,
the colours were so beautiful, a scene I’ll not forget.

This time of day is special as I love the solitude,
the quietness of the outback, no distractions to intrude.
I view the rugged beauty of this harsh but special place,
with craggy hills surrounded by the miles of open space.

I focused on a nearby peak where Eagles perch by day,
to view the land around them with a sharp lookout for prey.
I notice then the silence, there’s a total lack of sound,
and not a thing is moving in the air or on the ground.

The windmill in the distance has now shuddered to a stop,
and nothing drinks the water; there’s no kangaroos to hop.
No dust haze in the distance from a recent passing car,
a kind of peaceful moment is now spreading out afar.

An eerie sort of quietness now pervades the whole surround,
it’s only with remoteness can such moments now be found.
You feel you ought to hold your breath; keep it bottled up inside,
in case you spoil this moment when your breath and quiet collide.

Now have you ever listened when there’s silence all around,
and not a leaf is stirring, and there’s not a single sound?
The breeze has died completely, it’s as though the earth stood still,
I’ll long recall that silent camp below the white quartz hill.


Tuesday 2nd of June © T.E. Piggott 2009

love it Terry just beautiful and what a picture you paint.

Only one bit jarred with me and that is of course just my opinion but felt this didn't quite work

You feel you ought to hold your breath; keep it bottled up inside,
in case you spoil this moment when your breath and still collide.


sounded like he was making illicit brew out there would perhaps something like this be better


You feel you ought to hold your breath; keep such stillness inside,
safe from harm before the the peacefulness and the real world collide.

Just my thoughts

Cheers

Maureen

A lovely poem and scene Terry. I experienced absolute silence some years ago on the drive from Licola to Jamieson through the Victorian Alps. Total, absolute stillness and silence, absolute isolation and mountains in every direction as far as you could see. Amazing experience. It's not often you don't hear bird calls at least.

Heather

G/day Maureen and thanks
I tend to agree with you, funnily enough I glanced through it for the first time for in yonks after reading Eliza's poem and thought that sentence looked a bit dodgy. It was written a fair while ago, thanks for the tip I'll have another look.

Thanks Heather,
It's a thing you quite often encounter in the remoter areas of the goldfields over here, it's quite eerie at times.

Terry

Great visuals in this wordscape, Terry

The silence is felt and the peace shared,
Thank you for sharing,


ELiza

G/day Eliza,
I often wonder how many people have experienced total silence, where nothing moves and not a thing is heard.
As Heather has stated there is something very special about these occasions. In this case coupled with the remoteness it added to the moment.

Terry

QUIET Terry you didn't get it quite right - but it works for me... much better I reckon

Hi Maureen,
I don't why but I do that so often with Quiet.

Cheers Terry