H'work w/e 4.12.17 - TOP ENDERS

[Maureen K Clifford]

TOP ENDERS ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

There are countless corrugations on the road to Doomadgee,
a thin ribbon of red dirt tracks and samphire bushes to see,
as one travels in the heat , with sweat soaked shirt festooned with flies;
it was all just as expected , and so not a real surprise.

A grey solitary brolga did a dance there on the track,
with both wings outstretched he hopped around first forward and then back
his long neck extended, plus a bare featherless bobbing head -
made him seem somewhat maniacal - I think it must be said.

On cool evenings round a camp fire 'neath a million twinkling lights
one can bask in the serenity of velvet outback nights,
with the silence only broken by a haunting warrigal song
and the sibilant schuss of serpents silent, slithering along.

In the outback primitive long drops are it seems in short supply,
but a shovel and a scrubby bush suffice. There's a magpie
and a purple crowned small fairy wren to keep one company,
bright eyes watching unconcerned, both share the same pandanus tree.

This is home to wabungara*, it's Rainbow Serpent country,
the Waanyi - traditional owners know that Boodjamulla he
created the gorge at Lawn Hill - and this is a sacred place.
Boodjamulla brings the water - that's a legend to embrace.



* wabungara .. turtle
Boodjamulla .. rainbow serpent

[Terry]

Hi Maureen
The magic of remote areas - brings you face to face with nature.

Terry