THE DRY

[Maureen K Clifford]

This is an old one I wrote in the middle of the drought - we are not that dry now - after last nights deluge here nothing is dry.


The Dry

Blue sky, red dust, white bones, dried hides,
and everywhere you look, the dry.
Dams empty, just tree tops green
denuded where the sheep have been.
Far away clouds strain their tethers,
far too late for these old wethers.


Heartbreak fills this harsh old land,
almost seems like rains been banned.
Lack of rain has bought us down.
First the country, now the town.
Droughts' reality's not pretty,
even watching from the city.


In the city drought displayed
on the TV news each day.
Drought to some is far removed
from city life. Most are unmoved.
But drought is every farmer’s foe,
a fact of life..One that he knows.


Would he still ‘gainst nature fight?
Give his all. His toil and might?
Would the dogs of dark despair
stll come slinking from their lair?
Would he finally take a gun
and end it all? What’s done is done.


Mates would see it, Mates would know
they too have borne Natures blow.
Thoughts of ending it are there,
only rain ends their despair.
Lesser men would walk away.
Hours of work for little pay.


The Aussie spirit still burns bright
these unsung heroes still will fight
for country, lifestyle, stock and land
a tough, and mostly unbowed band
of battlers who with honest toil
raise the stock and work the soil.


So come on Aussies lend a hand
support the Farmer on the land
For he's now facing natures ire
yet despite this still has desire
to stay and work the harsh brown land
He loves it..can you understand?




Maureen Clifford ©

[mummsie]

No signs of drought at the moment here either Maureen, we have had just under 7 inches this week. Dams and creeks all overflowing. But reading your poem certainly brings to mind the drier times and the harsh realities of farming life, a good read.

Sue

[Maureen K Clifford]

Glad you saw my picture Sue. we are only ever one step removed from it after all - Wet today - dry tomorrow Things are a bit soggy here as well at the moment - gotta love that liquid sunshine