THEY'RE RIGHT TO GO

[Maureen K Clifford]

They’re right to go

They were hanging out of windows and leaning out of doors,
the blue perched on the spare tyre and two new pups on the floor.
Each ear was pricked and eager, each face grinning and smart
and every muscle ready for the days muster to start.

The Landy took off, swaying over ruts and boulders too
in second gear she groaned a bit but that was nothing new.
Each panel showed some wear and tear, red rust shone in the sun.
A workhorse no show pony this - she wasn’t here for fun.

You could see it was a station hack - no city cheval here
just by looking in the back and checking out the gear.
Snigging chains and lick blocks, worn boots and hessian sacks,
two chain saws, fuel containers, water, and somebody’s daks.

Then it’s “out boys! - Go by Zero. Go by Sally. Go by Jack.
Get behind now! Get behind! Good dogs! Walk up – Right! Watch ‘em Zac.
And with fluid precision, a degree of ovine grace
the mob like molten white gold flowed through the gate up the race.

It’s a joy to watch these working dogs interact as a team
as they live to work. They love it, every brown eye has a gleam
of delight, anticipation, expectation when you say
‘righto you dogs! Hop on the Ute - let’s find some sheep today.’

Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet

Nice little clip here of a Kelpie doing his stuff, look at his little face - he reminded me of our old Buster Boo - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151801865749900

[Neville Briggs]

Goodonya Maureen

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks Neville - you know how much I love those canines