A MUCH MALIGNED ICON . . .

[Cas van Loon]

To have a holiday with a difference, venture up the East coast
experience the sight of pure dingoes of which Fraser Island boast
brought to Australia by seafaring folk, here they are rampant
it is thought they are descendants of wolves from an Asian land

Although wild, very curious, noses twitching, sampling new scents
a series of howls, desolate, piercing, silence of awakening day rents
a song of very old Australian past, a wierd and yet romantic sound
evoking the magic of the Dreamtime, refrain unusual, does one haunt

These creatures were believed capable of seeing into supernatural
warning of approach of evil Spirits, by changing tone, length of call
neither mean-spirited, nor cowards, really in their element at night
no matter what the weather, hot, cold, wet, dry, regardless of the light

Keen sense of smell, hearing combined with extraordinary vision
very patient, seldom missing their prey when on a hunting expedition
triangular ears erect, always a solitary hunter, never in a pack
like a dark shadow, silently, in even moonless night, their quarry track

The Dingo is regarded as an embodiment of all that is wild and free
the Dingo, to loose them would be a pity, part of our heritage, history
no animal in our folklore and myths has made a greater impact
reviled, persecuted, companiable, kind, symbol of wilderness, all that

[Maureen K Clifford]

Don't know how I missed this Cas it's about a dog for gods sake. I must have had a cold and didn't pick up the scent.

Your writing is always so wonderfully descriptive, as I read I can see the dingo standing on the beach in the shade of the casuarinas just behind the high water mark, watching the people disembark from the barge. The day is sunny and hot, the sibilant shoosh of surf on sand and the soughing of the wind through the pines - a glorious day, and you have transported me.

Cheers

Maureen