Looking Back

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Terry
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Looking Back

Post by Terry » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:30 pm

We’re attempting to start a small writers group over here.
The main idea is to encourage new writers – but it’s open to anyone who’d like to have a go.
I’m meant to be mostly helping the newer writers – but I did this homework anyway.

Looking at this again I see I have at least one half rhyme and a repeated rhyme as well,
perhaps it's me who should be getting lessons.


Looking Back 2

My mind keeps drifting back these days, to years I spent outback,
as in my dreams I wander yet along life’s fading track.
I clearly see that country now, as though I’m there to-day,
still camped beneath a shady tree out Yundramindra way.

Remembering the many camps, and mates that I once knew;
I see again their faces - back when they were young blokes too.
Oh! we were full of daring then, prepared to have a go,
and tried our hands at many things, . . . in days long, long ago.

I’ve seen the early sunrise, way out on the gibber plain,
and dug for precious opal on a Coober Pedy claim.
Then held those sparkling gemstones as they flashed there in my hand,
and marvelled that such beauty, could lie hidden in this land.

Those memories keep drifting back to days of yesteryear,
the places and the faces - I can see then now so clear.
One special face I’ll not forget still lingers in my heart,
ten years you shared that lonely life and loved it from the start.

I think again about those days and miss it still today,
that special place may touch you too, if you should pass that way.
I searched for gold but gained much more and loved the freedom found;
a part of me will always be, out in that deep red ground.

I’ve seen it in the best of times – I’ve seen it at its worst,
I’ve seen that country flooded, and I’ve seen stock die of thirst.
Despite the deadly pathways then, that nature sometimes took;
there’s beauty in its harshness too, for those who care to look.

*****
© T. E. Piggott
Last edited by Terry on Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:58 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Shelley Hansen
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Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: Looking Back

Post by Shelley Hansen » Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:50 pm

Lovely poem, Terry!

Good on you for being involved in the writers' group - passing on the skills and techniques of good bush poetry is something must do for our up and coming writers, in order to keep our craft alive.

All the very best with the endeavour.

Cheers
Shelley :D
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Terry
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Looking Back

Post by Terry » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:33 pm

Thanks Shelley

Just tiny steps at the moment - it will be interesting to see if it kicks on.

Terry

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Catherine Lee
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Location: Thailand

Re: Looking Back

Post by Catherine Lee » Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:50 pm

Lovely reflective poem that says a lot, Terry.

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Looking Back

Post by Terry » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:11 pm

Thanks Catherine

Could probably do with a with few more stanza's?

But as it was just homework I didn't bother - might have another look at it later.

Nice to hear from you again Catherine

Regards

Terry

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David Campbell
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Location: Melbourne
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Re: Looking Back

Post by David Campbell » Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:18 pm

Good luck with the group, Terry. You've set a fine example with this poem.

Cheers
David

Terry
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Looking Back

Post by Terry » Wed Oct 11, 2017 11:59 am

Thanks David

I guess most of us had a bit of a helping hand when we started out,
so it's good to be trying to do the same for others, at hopefully the start of their poetical journey.

Cheers

Terry

mummsie
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Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:33 am
Location: Tumut, NSW

Re: Looking Back

Post by mummsie » Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:06 am

I've always enjoyed your work Terry-how easily it flows-you have a very special gift-the ability to capture the scene and frame it for all to share. I particularly love this piece as it captures both the harshness and beauty of this great land(
its beauty and its terror, the wide brown land for me
Good luck with the group but most of all-enjoy!
Cheers
sue
the door is always open, the kettles always on, my shoulders here to cry on, i'll not judge who's right or wrong.

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Looking Back

Post by Terry » Thu Oct 12, 2017 12:12 pm

Thanks Sue

I managed to sneak in and fix a little typo before you read it Sue.

As I mentioned it's very early days so it will be interesting to see how it goes.
I guess if you can help in some small way it's worth while.

John Hayes is also helping - John is a wonderful performer as well.

Terry

Jeff Thorpe
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: Looking Back

Post by Jeff Thorpe » Mon Oct 16, 2017 4:01 pm

Hi Terry

Your stuff is always good and you'll set a good example for your group.

I belong to a writer's group in Brisbane which meets twice a month and a topic is set (although not mandatory) for members to write on for each meeting. This forces participants to think "outside the square". Each person reads their offering and then the others give feedback on it. A 1500 word limit applies for each presentation. Some don't always present anything but, still offer a critique.

I'm the only bush poet in the group (the others more fiction writers). My poems are well received and I'm heartened the members often say they will pass them on to others.

Hope your venture will be successful.

Cheers, Jeff

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