ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Don’t know if you had Rabbit Proof Fences over your way; we had a couple over here and they did no good at all.
At one time it was considered that you were more or less out in the Never Never when you got beyond the Rabbit Fence.


BEYOND THE RABBIT FENCE

A camp beneath a shady tree – a pannikin of tea
and freedom that few ever know; now that’s the life for me.
There’s never any rush out here; no reason to feel tense,
for worries seem to melt away beyond the Rabbit Fence.

It doesn’t cost a cent in rent; you live the way you choose
and have the choice of campsites with their million dollar views.
And time no longer matters; there’s no need to watch the clock,
the sun’s the only timepiece on your billion acre block.

Your days are filled with pleasure even as you toil away,
that sense of freedom’s always there no matter what the day.
The rotten flies are thick at times and heat can be intense,
yet that’s a price we’re glad to pay beyond the Rabbit Fence.

late afternoons are special as the sun begins to sink
and stock are heading to the mills as they come in to drink.
Then right on dusk there’s silence - not a single sound is heard,
until at last a murmur as a gentle breeze has stirred

Your cheery campfire crackles; there’s the scent of burning leaves,
the magic of the outback is the gift that one receives.
For life is what you make of it; you need no recompense,
you stay because you love it here, beyond the Rabbit fence.

******
©T.E. Piggott

It's truly great to be out there where time has no requirements only your needs

bill Williams the old battler

and congrats at Yass mate

We had rabbit proof fences that ran across our place - part of the original fence we were told and now just about buried beneath sheep manure that washed down the hills every time it rained and buried it even further. Didn't deter any rabbits that I noticed. Then on the road between Warwick and Texas just before Gore or thereabouts they removed the fence and grid and replaced it with a painted grid and a sign that said No rabbits allowed past this point. Never did work out how they expected that to work.

Love your poem Terry - even the flies - you paint beautiful pictures with your words.

Yes enjoyed your poem Terry, brought back memories of living at Pardoo not far from the northern end of the rabbit proof fence at Cape Keraudren. I remember all that you've touched on, the days, the heat, the flies, the stark beauty, the peace and the vastness of the country.

Good stuff mate.

Marty

That is just a great poem with a great title Terry. Loved it. Have you ever tested it in competition. If not I really think you should.
Wazza

Delightful Terry....

Hi All,

Thanks Bill

Hi Maureen,
They never did much good here either - thanks for the kind words.

G/day Marty,

You curse it at times mate but there's something about that country, you never quite manage to get it out of the system do you?

Hi Wazza,
No I haven't bothered entering this one in anything, thought it might be a bit on the short side. I had thought about making it a bit longer but felt it said ll that needed to be said.
Thanks for the kind words anyway mate.

Hi Glenny
Glad you enjoyed it - one thing about shorter poems, they're finish before they get boring

Cheers

Terry

Wonderful Terry. You have taken us on a descriptive journey to, as you say, "the magic of the outback".
Thank you for sharing
Sue

A perfect day Terry - except for the flies!

Hi Heather & Sue, and thanks.

Sue congratulations on your win, didn't surprise me a bit.
I always knew you had the talent from day one.

Cheers Terry