ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Reminiscing


I have heard the breezes blowing through the she oaks late at night
when you can hear the waves as they crash on the shore.
I have wandered down a dusty road that stretches out of sight
when it seems that I could never want for more.

I have driven through the outback where the barren lands so dry
crack and turn to dust with every breath of air.
I have seen the cattle suffer, I have watched a stockman cry
as the country swelters in the summers glare.

I have camped amongst the gidgee scrub beneath the stars at night
Drunk my fill from streams so bright and crystal clear.
I have watched a thousand white corellas as they took to frantic flight
heard the thunder as the wet season draws near.

I have lazed beside a billabong beneath Pandanus palms
watched the setting sun and breathed the outback air.
I have listened to the curlews haunting call in dark of night
seen the eagles soar so high without a care.

I have wandered with a loved one on a golden wind swept beach
where the crystal sand still squeaks beneath you feet.
I have sat in outback pubs where time seems to stand still
and marvelled at the many characters you meet.

I have heard the rain a drumming on a country homestead roof
as storms herald in the ending of the drought.
I have mustered in the ranges where the lonely pikers dwell
lost a full crew when they’ve gone on walkabout.

I have sat alone in dead of night beneath the Southern Cross
warmed by a glowing fire of gidgee coal.
I have fished the outback rivers the billabongs and creeks
dined on yabbies from an near dry waterhole.

I have been loved by a woman and loved her in return
though the long years saw that cherished love undone.
I have held a newborn baby and as he squirmed there in my arms
and felt so proud to realise he was my son.

Should I now dwell upon the past or those things that might have been
had my life meandered on a different track.
No I’ll rejoice now in the happiness of the cards I have been dealt.
for in life there can really be no turning back.

Bob Pacey (c)

Well done Bob.

Now for your next composition, one you can try something different, breaking up the repetition of the metre by introducing devices known as caesuras and enjambments. Variety is the spice of life,

There can be no turning back. More's the pity ... I'd change a few things if there were. Lots of outback scenery in there Bob. I enjoyed the images they brought to mind.
Wazza

If you check a lot of my previous poems Nev you will see the changes ????


Thanks Wazza have had this in the works in progress file for a while and was not sure where it was going, then a fella said yesterday Gees I'm getting old cannot do half the things I used to and I'm almost 70 and the average Australian male lives till 75 .

Got me thinking and the rest just rolled out.

Might go and get some yabbies on Sunday have not been for years better still will take the grandkids.

Cheers Bob

G/day Bob,
Good poem mate, pretty well covers it all as well.

Thanks for sharing.

Terry

Yes, well done Bob.

Heather

...good one Robert..

A fine poem Bob!

Thank you all for your comments I have not written anything for a while just for the joy of it had a lot of personalised poems to do for functions so was good to get back to some writing just for the relaxation aspect.


Cheers and many thanks


Bob ( Robert ) Pacey

I like it too but you might like to fix the typo spelling of the title s/b Reminiscing