H'work for w/e 31.7.17 - Ipswich is Pumping.

[Maureen K Clifford]

IPSWICH IS PUMPING ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

The Pumpyard on Limestone is bustling and busy
the bricks in the courtyard mellowed by the sun
are warm underfoot - in the trees bird are singing
and lovers are sharing boutique beers ...what fun,
and daring to open their souls to each other
their heads close together, both acting as one
two lips meet and kiss 'cross a worn wooden table
and four hearts are brewing a romance homespun.

The old stately buildings are loved in this city,
bestowing our streets with old-style charm and grace
sheltering 'neath shade of the mauve jacarandas
our forefathers planted in this lovely place.
The people who live here, and those who just visit
can all share a love affair with our towns past,
whilst exploring parks with their gracious Rotundas
and mourning time passing....stark modern contrast.

The weather conditions here are mostly perfect,
we laze in the sunshine for most of the year
and gracious old Queenslanders stand on each corner
with shady verandahs that most folks hold dear.
Above, 'gainst the azure, Growlers fly formation
EA-18G now call Ipswich their home.
We're used to their noise - aeronautical prowess,
and happy to take them on - claim as our own.

The sleepy old Bremer wends brownly through our town,
she's somnolent today, with no ire or angst
but sometimes she's angry, she flounces and roils
and throws quite a hissy-fit - breaking her banks.
Our history's long - we're a working town firstly
with feet firmly planted in produce and toil.
We've mined the black gold, grown the wheat, wool and cotton,
harvested the grapes, tilled alluvial soil.

Our people are strong - with a backbone of iron
that comes to the fore when the chips they are down.
They come from all over the world to our city
and most of them are proud to call this their town.
We've sportsmen of note amongst our sons and daughters,
political figures , statesmen of renown.
We are Queensland's oldest provincial city
and welcome all visitors with smile not frown.

[Wendy Seddon]

Hi Maureen,
I've been north of the border only once in my life!
I should plan to take a visit and spend some time up there.
I don't know what Growlers are though. I gather from your poem they are jets?

I live 5 m8ns from Williamtown RAAF base so I too know the noise...I find it a comfort!

We have the Hornets down here. Are they the same thing?

Your poem is both discriptive and historical.
I have been educated!

[Maureen K Clifford]

Growlers are our newest planes taken on at Amberley - we are quite proud to have them but they are noisy, they are based on a Hornet framework and we are the only country outside of USA to have them. Quite a feather in our cap actually.

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/0 ... ler-fleet/

[Shelley Hansen]

A vivid word picture of your town, Maureen - a town we've grown to appreciate more and more as we've had the privilege of visiting for the Ipswich Feast each year during October.

I've written a much smaller poem for my homework - as you'll see it is just a snapshot!

Cheers
Shelley

[David Campbell]

I've only been to Ipswich once, Maureen (for the IPF a few years ago), but that visit wasn't long enough to explore all the aspects you clearly love!

Cheers
David

[Maureen K Clifford]

You could come visit us again David - we would make you very welcome