Homework prompts 9th July

[Catherine Lee]

This turned out a bit longer than I'd planned, but here goes...

Ghosts of Men

The ghosts of men are meeting in the clearing by the creek—
come quietly and listen, and you’re bound to hear them speak;
the yellow gleam of candle flame will lead us to the site,
its glow an invitation shining gently in the night.
They talk about their voyage from across a boundless sea,
with dreams and fears combining in a promise to be free;
recalling safe arrival in this strange yet splendid place,
they shake their heads remembering the hope on every face.

They reminisce with fondness on those verdant shady lanes
they’d left so far behind - exchanged for vast and brutal plains;
their resolute survival in this harsh, demanding land,
which challenged them at first in ways they couldn’t understand.
They speak of exploration, learning slowly to adjust
to burning heat, odd creatures, constant flies and ochre dust.
For these were pioneers who bravely paved the way ahead—
and immigrants or convicts, in their footsteps now we tread.

They wonder how they battled through each endless vicious drought;
escaped the raging bush fires, leading frightened livestock out;
how raging water uncontrolled cascaded, wild and black,
to flood with cruel destruction, sweeping all within its track.
They chat about construction—building settlements and towns;
discuss the Great Depression with despondent, solemn frowns,
and curse the wars that decimated many of their kind—
but cheer for every victory and triumph left behind.

They marvel at the changes that the centuries have brought—
compare this evolution to the single goal they’d sought;
approve of our prosperity, amazed at how we’ve grown—
progressed on firm foundation from the mighty seeds they’d sown.
They hunger for their former lives beneath the Southern Cross—
return in spirit only, to converse and mourn their loss;
they crave to join us once again, and thirst for days gone by,
but settle for these spectral meetings under velvet sky.

The night rolls on, and distantly the south wind faintly sings,
whilst in the golden wattle there’s a fluttering of wings.
The dawn is breaking – one by one each ancient pioneer
smiles wistfully and bows his head to slowly disappear.
Tomorrow they’ll return to light their campfire once again—
though long since dead, a part of them will evermore remain…
Stand proud, respected ghosts of men—all ye who landed first!
Drink deeply from your memories—drink deep, and quench your thirst.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Oh Wow! That last verse made the hairs on my neck stand on end - I hope you are going to put this into a comp - it would be in with a good chance IMO. The Ipswich Poetry Feast closes soon - why not give it a run there http://www.ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au/

[Terry]

Hi Catherine
Like you I often think about our pioneers; those who did the hard yards so we could enjoy the fruits of their labours.
We owe them so much; yet there are those among us who would rewrite our early history and conveniently forget
just what those people suffered in making this country what it is today - it's so easy to just look for negatives.
You have used your words well to paint a picture of what it was like back then - another great write Catherine.

Cheers

Terry

[Catherine Lee]

Thank you so much, Maureen and Terry, for your extremely positive comments!

Maureen, the fact that you consider it worthy to enter in a competition makes me very happy, and even more so that the last verse affected you in this way, because that's what I like to feel when I read poetry as well!

Terry, you are so right - those pioneers were amazing 'stock'. It is indeed easy to focus on the negatives, but those who worked hard and battled honestly and determinedly to carve lives for themselves in a new land are worthy of respect.

Thank you both so much once again.

[Shelley Hansen]

Wow! Definitely worth the wait, Catherine!

Yes, this one is a keeper ... like the others said, it is goosebump stuff. We need to pay homage to those who went before us and gave us our rich heritage.

Cheers
Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Thank you for your kind words, Shelley - yes, I agree! Our history and heritage is so important.

[Neville Briggs]

That's a well written and imaginative piece Catherine. The west has a history to be proud of, sadly these days we are being taught ( I have evidence ) to despise our heritage, that the pioneers were a part of the evil of colonialism and practitioners of genocide and environmental vandalism.
Good work Catherine, we need those who are brave enough to tell the story of pioneering accomplishments in a positive and balanced way.

[Catherine Lee]

Wow, that's wonderful feedback Neville - thank you so much! I sincerely hope the day will never come when we despise our heritage. There is good and bad in every generation and culture, and a time for each story to be told while maintaining an overall balance of perspective. These days it seems to me that we are going off with extreme knee jerk reactions to all sorts of issues, without maintaining a common sense perspective...the thought of the next generation being taught to do this makes me shudder. I really appreciate your kind words Neville - thanks once again.

[mummsie]

A powerful write indeed Catherine.
I was drawn from the very first line and that last verse as Maureen said is goosebump material-word imagery at its finest. Well done. A poem to revisit for sure.
Cheers
Sue

[r.magnay]

I am slowly trying to get back into the poetic phase and reading a lot of the older stuff on the site, I am glad I got to this section because I am seeing some pretty good stuff, I really like this Catherine, almost sent a shiver down my spine.
(I know this is not some of the older stuff, I am working my way forward)