ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I’ve always threatened to try and write a free verse poem – not sure if this will qualify as one.

THE LOVE OF THE BUSH

I listen as the butcher bird sings
the sweetest songs of the desert fringe.
The sun has risen to his joyous tune
that enhances my love of this country here.

I’ve fallen for this wild brown land
and it touches my heart like a lover can.
It soothes my soul and compensates
for the loneliness of life outback.

I travel away from time to time
But miss the ways of this life of mine.
I hurry back to my old bush camp;
once more at peace in this land that I love.

***

© T.E. Piggott

That's a good poem Terry. Nothing wrong with that.

I think that what you have done is not free verse but blank verse. Blank verse is formally metred , unrhymed verse.
In my useless opinion I can't see why blank verse cannot be included in bush poetry. Shakespeare wrote all his plays in iambic blank verse. It is traditional.

Goodonya Terry.

Cause it does not rhyme Neville !

By definition, Australian Bush Poetry is metred and rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians and/or the Australian way of life.

Here we go again !


Bob

Thanks Neville

Yes I found it hard to tear myself away from at least having a bit of rhythm, and I can see what you mean.
Apart from a change of stress in the last line of each stanza and no proper rhymes there's little difference from the poetry that we write.
I also tried to make each line flow reasonably naturally onto the next one, although I didn't bother about the syllable count.

I'll have to force myself to read a bit more of out and out free verse Before my next attempt.

Cheers Terry

G/day Bob

Neville was just pointing out a few things for me - a total dummy when it comes to free verse - and not too flash on any other type either.

Cheers

Terry

Actually it does rhyme - or the first 2 lines of each stanza do. I would be inclined to set it out a little differently to how you have Terry .... just my fiddle

THE LOVE OF THE BUSH ... ©Terry Piggott

I listen
as the butcher bird sings the sweetest songs
of the desert fringe.

The sun has risen
to his joyous tune that enhances my love
of this country here.
I’ve fallen
for this wild brown land and it touches my heart
like a lover can.

It soothes my soul
and compensates for the loneliness
of life outback.
I travel away
from time to time but miss the ways
of this life of mine.

I hurry back
to my old bush camp; once more at peace
in this land that I love.


I like it - want to share it with me??? I've got a spot for it

Hi Maureen

Yes use it by all means - just having a bit of fun.

I see what your doing and it seems to work as well.

Mind you I reckon you're pretty liberal on what you call a rhyme - I might grudgingly own up to one half rhyme.

I must have another go?

Cheers Terry