IPSWICH PRIDE

[Maureen K Clifford]

A little bit of Ipswich pride on display here because it is a great place to live and our Mayor is one of the best, You've already seen Leonies poem about the faces of Ipswich which won in the Faces of Ipswich section in the Ipswich Poetry Feast so thought I would share mine that came 3rd in the Local Poets section * and this latest press release on our Mayor. Check out the Poll result at the end. Go Paul...

http://www.qt.com.au/news/theres-no-sto ... m/1649249/

The Swich
We’re blessed with parks and gardens neat, old gracious homes on every street.
A history of flood and coal, miner’s lives lost beneath our feet.
And yet her spirit still shines through despite the devastating flood
that tried to tear her heart away and drain the town of its life blood.

It’s home to me a second time, this friendly place where coal is mined.
Each step you take upon her streets has history attached I find.
And it’s a history of toil, of blood and sweat and sacrifice
she relinquishes the black gold, but men pay dear for avarice.
Above the city tall cranes rise, their operators near the skies
have views that stretch for miles and miles as clouds float past their watchful eyes.
Our city heart is changing face as Ipswich scurries to keep pace
with other cities in our state - though in some things we lead the race

Today our military force flies friendly planes ‘cross skies above.
We can exert force if we must; we’ve Hornets but prefer the dove
of peace to fly our Ipswich skies – past webs of moving metal pyres
who through the day are dull and grey, but burnished bright with sunsets fires.
At day’s end when their work is done, their chains and moving parts are still
and slowly the town comes to rest, the sound of roosting birds is shrill
from river banks that pass through town, the mighty Bremer quiet today.
Hard to imagine how she raged. How many knew the price we’d pay?

And women weep and babies cry, a whole town mourns but time goes by.
We bring them back from foreign sands to home and say a last goodbye.
Flags flutter at half mast today, another soldier lost I see.
He gave his all for his country – they flew him into Amberley.
And yet despite the tribulations the Swich holds her head higher,
she may just be a working town but there is much here to admire.
Her people are a friendly mob, who offer help and congregate
when disaster dares rear her head, this is a place where mate helps mate.

We’re blessed with parks and gardens neat, old gracious homes adorn our streets,
our town is steeped in History , it’s a great place, knows not defeat.
We’re working class no frills or fancies, we’re out there - nothing to hide.
and the best thing about the Swich is you can see her peoples pride.


Maureen Clifford © 07/12


2012 Ipswich Poetry Feast

Judges Comment - 3rd Place: The Swich by Maureen Clifford

One of a number of poems referencing the flood, this one takes a broader view of the town and its people in a kind of triumphant, unsentimental hymn to the city that is Ipswich. "Our city heart is changing face as Ipswich scurries to keep pace" Crane drivers and roosting birds watch over a town flushed with an infectious working-class pride.

[Neville Briggs]

Good work Maureen. 3rd place too

[Heather]

Congratulations Maureen. I've been to Ipswich briefly a couple of times but your poem gives me a good idea of what it is really like.

Heather

[Bob Pacey]

No mention of the Bogans Maureen or is that Logan ?



Bob

[Neville Briggs]

I restrained myself from mentioning that ! Bob you naughty man

[Maureen K Clifford]

as is always the case the few get the most publicity - like every town/city we have our problems here but taken overall they are very few. We have one of the best city security systems in Australia with security cameras everywhere and no doubt the bogans and hoons go elsewhere to get their jollies as they are spotted here immediately by the citysafe team and the coppers are there before they know it. The Helensvale area of the Gold Coast seems to be taking more of a caning from bogans at the moment than we do.

Believe me when I say that Ipswich is a terrific place to live with one of the most hands on Mayors and proactive councils you are ever likely to meet - I love it and have lived in plenty of places along the east coast from Sydney to Townsville so have a bit of experience behind me when making that comment.

[Bob Pacey]

Ah Ha but have you ever lived on the Capricorn Coast ?

Big enough to have the services but small enough that people still say gidday as they pass you in the street, well at least i do !


Robert

[Maureen K Clifford]

No I can't say I have ever lived there Bob but over the 50 years I have lived in Australia– since starting out at a migrant hostel with my parents at Rooty Hill I have moved 22 times – 16 of which were since I left home at age 16 married with a young baby – I think I have my Dad’s genes – he was ex navy and never stayed any place for long.

I don’t think I have ever in my life lived anywhere longer than 5 years although I am coming up to seven in this place now – but Real Estate.com is often perused.