ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Reading Terry's story about his mining history stirred my mining blood a bit, I thought I might post this old one from my book. Just as a point of interest, when my retirement savings started to look a bit sad, I went back to the 'big' mines at Iron Baron for a couple of days last month, with the view of making some good money again, two days cured me...

Mintabie Miner
© Ross Magnay 10/91
Amongst the scraggy mulga and flies and sand of red,
Machines and men are working in the hope to get ahead,
Working hard at excavation, both machines and men as one,
As they search for hidden treasure, beneath the out back sun.

Smelling fumes of burning diesel, on sandstone hard and white,
Hear the screech of hardened metal as the ripper takes a bite,
And the stones roll out for checkers as they walk behind the rip,
Eyes glued to the ripper mark and set to use the pick.

And the prize that they are seeking is a gem of flashing hues,
Of silica and centuries and reds and greens and blues.

In a vein of glass hard colour lays the hopes of all concerned,
And word will quickly spread around when it at last is turned.
And sun from overhead beats down, the sweat begins to drip,
And you’ll hear, though maybe tongue in check, “She’ll be in the next rip!”

And the grouser plates are rattling as the sandstones pushed away,
And the miners are all hoping that they’ll find the stuff today,
And if they find it or they miss right out, there’s one thing that’s for sure,
Once you’re an opal miner, you will always look for more!

G/day Ross,
Your right about it getting into your blood mate, My old partner is still at Coober Pedy and he first arrived in the early sixties.
I used to go back from time to time to buy a bit of rough and the urge was always there to have another go.

Ah the memories Ross: once you have been bitten, be it opal or gold, you'll never be free of it; enjoyed the read mate.

Terry

Ross, you can always tell, with any piece of writing, when the author knows their subject intimately and I can with this poem. You've described the scene in a way that puts me there with the heat, the noise and the expectation. Thanks.

Heather

..pretty amazing stuff hey Matt? it's hard to believe it was just water and silica at some stage of its life.

Yeah Terry, I probably should have just made the last line...'once you are a miner' rather than an opal miner, but having said that, I just did the two days in an iron ore mine, and about eighteen years ago I worked underground in a copper mine.....I have no yearning for either of those again!...

I am glad you feel that way about the poem Heather, it is hard to know sometimes if people can see the same scene that's in my head as I try and put it on paper!

Thanks all.