Well another month begins and this is my homework for the writing workshop at ABPA…..
WILD BRUMBIES IN THE PARK .. Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet
There’s a winter chill descending on the Snowy’s plains tonight
and a whippy wind is whining through the gums
whilst above wild clouds are scudding – fairly charging ‘cross the sky
as beneath the stars are quietly grazing brums.
They are there just near the tree line, close to shelter if required,
if the snowflakes might perhaps fall from the skies
Each snowflake is an Angels kiss from heaven up above
from other brums who met a sad demise.
There’s nothing much to trouble them up here apart from man,
and snow will be a blessing in disguise
for it makes the tracks impenetrable to the four wheel drives
and hides the brumbies from the shooters eyes.
The stallion is on guard keeping close watch o’er his mares,
and foals who are intent on getting feed.
Some little ones are newly born – long limbed with coats quite wooly
their lanky limbs not yet quite set for speed.
The hills are still recovering from catastrophic fires
that ripped through here a year or two ago
Snow gums with blackened trunks now show a sprinkling of green
and autumn colours in the grasses show.
A distant dingo howls its song – snout lifted to the moon
that’s rising slow – a luminescent sphere
to shine its light upon them, making soft coats shine and gleam
whilst turning colours into silver sheer.
The moon’s bright light on winter nights sets nature’s stage aglow
and southern lights can sometimes there be seen
the Aurora Australis glows behind a ridge of snow gums
silhouetted stark and black – grass trees between.
And here I sit at ease outside the hut at old Currango
close by to Tantangara – Land the wild brumbies uphold.
A log fire warm behind me and open plains before me
wrapped in a wooly winter gown, protected from the cold.
Inside newspapers line the wall – it seems ‘The Sun’ holds sway
from 1943 – we were at war.
A collection of rags was being held in Adelaide
and Vincent’s APC cured pain for sure.
Back then our brumbies were required – they were held in esteem.
They also fought on foreign fields of war
and gave their all and more again – for not one did return
to end their days upon our Aussie shore.
But now alas they carry a new snipers killing mark,
their numbers are declining as we speak
I doubt in eighty years from now there’ll be one that survives
no brumbies will run wild on Mountain peaks.
So while I can I’m collecting a memory for me
I doubt there’s any others now who care.
And soon no doubt I will myself be just a memory too
though perhaps my poetry will still be there.
And if it is and others maybe take the time to read,
I hope my words might generate a spark
of interest – though word pictures can’t replace reality
and will ne’er replace wild brumbies in the park.
There’s a winter chill descending on the Snowy’s plains tonight
and a whippy wind is whining through the gums
whilst above wild clouds are scudding – fairly charging ‘cross the sky
as beneath the stars are quietly grazing brums.
Nelle's journey 