DOES IT MATTER?

[Maureen K Clifford]

DOES IT MATTER ?


I went to work this morning past the dairy paddocks green.
One of the few acres now left close to town.
When I returned from work I saw the lush paddock was gone
replaced with raw, torn earth in shades of brown.
We have to keep on building – that’s the way these councils think,
for there’s people moving up here all the time.
Why not purchase a property that is already there?
Demolish and rebuild or redefine.

At least this way our country would have chance to draw a breath,
without more infrastructure on the go.
With the expanding population on the move around this nation
I suspect it would be better if ‘twas so.
For no matter that we’re running out of water due to drought.
No matter parking’s scarce at bus and train.
No matter that the buses sometimes leave passengers out
just as long as local councils make a gain.

Our fertile farming country is now growing red roofed housing
but crops can’t grow on arid land and stone.
Farmers are doing it tough, how many will hold on,
battling fire, flood, drought, transport costs and loans.
It’s no wonder that our food costs seem to escalate each year,
as they will, as more farmers walk off the land.
I wonder when some common sense our councils will impose?
What part of stupid don’t they understand?

We need the country paddocks and the trees to bring the rain.
Those trees that help to lessen our pollution.
Acknowledge fact. Something our Aboriginal brothers understand.
Decimation is not a long term solution.
Don’t you care when water shortages are felt here - due to drought?
Don’t you care if we fell forest giants? Huge trees.
Have you ascertained the cost of pushing farmers further out
or pollution increasing lands salinity?

For surely all can understand we’re running out , we’re running out
and don’t you see the farm land disappear?
Pray tell me who you think it is who works to feed us all?
What will you do when that man isn’t here?
We’ve sold the farm, we’ve sold the land, we’ve sold our rights to water.
We’ve sold the rail and sold off all the coal.
We export our uranium to less than friendly countries
Tell me is our own destruction our main goal?

If we become mere tenants in our country, wont it matter?
Was this why our forefathers fought and died?
Or did they fight for freedom and the right to live in peace?
The right to own some land, retain some pride?
Best take a look around and face the harsh reality
for pretty soon of Oz there'll be nought left
that we recognize as ours – save perhaps the bloody flies -
far too late when all is gone to be bereft.


Maureen Clifford ©
Edited 01/13

[Neville Briggs]

A lot of passion there Maureen. I think that sort of poem is called a "Harangue "
She's on the warpath folks.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I suppose it is a bit of a rant Neville but every word is true sadly. Saw a clip on TV the other night where they confirmed the farmer is now getting paid less per litre of milk than what it costs him to produce it. This is bloody madness but just the tip of the iceberg, and no one seems to give a toss about it.

[warooa]

and no one seems to give a toss about it.

Not enough people, Maureen - I think our largely urbanised population live such full (of what? another issue ) lives there's only a limited amount of time for sympathy - what with all the different coloured ribbon days, charity walks, the floods, fires and famines - all very worthy causes . . the people who grow our food are largely forgotten.

One bloke who is always standing up for our farmers is Bob Katter - put aside his homophobia and his desire to arm the population, he is an incredibly vocal mouthpiece for the rights of the man on the land.

Marty

[Maureen K Clifford]

That he is Marty - gotta love a bloke with a big hat

[Neville Briggs]

I know what you are feeling Maureen. There have been a couple of " developments " around these parts carving up fine agricultural land.
It stirs up one's suspicions when you find out that one person connected to the developers is going on trial for alleged gangster activity. And one wonders what it means that the developers are aided by consultants , one of whom was formerly a shire councillor and the other who was formerly a senior council officer.

[Bob Pacey]

i think you posted this back in 2011 maureen still as revelant now as then probably more so.



Bob

[warooa]

I think it is a QLD thing , the state that gave us Joh BP , Pauline Hanson and Barnaby

Don't forget Clive Palmer

[Maureen K Clifford]

It is just sad IMO that we live now more than ever in a world dominated by human greed that makes it OK in some peoples books to run roughshod over the rest of society

I hold dear to my heart an old American Cree Indian proverb

Only when the last tree has died
and the last river been poisoned
and the last fish been caught
will we realise we cannot eat money


I think it is just as relevant indeed more relevant today and we are fast approaching the prophecy forecasted. We already have nations incapable of feeding themselves and so like locusts they are now descending on our land and we like fools are selling the farm off to them. Shame Australia Shame

Cheers

Maureen

[Neville Briggs]

COMING TO A FARM NEAR YOU MAUREEN. Shocker isn't it ?

I took this up near Muswellbrook. Makes me cringe when I go past it.
You can see one poor black cow facing her future.

The second picture is a view just a few degrees to the south of the other view. You can see posts being placed to mark out something, maybe a road.

There are other areas not that far away where they could build housing, but wouldn't have mountain views. Wouldn't be as profitable.

development.JPG

muswellbrook.JPG