BEYOND THE RABBIT FENCE

[Terry]

Seeing as we have been talking about the Lambing Flat Comp., here is the poem that won the rhyming section in 2014
The poem should be centered - don't seem to be able to do that here?



BEYOND THE RABBIT FENCE

A camp beneath a shady tree – a pannikin of tea
and freedom that few ever know; now that’s the life for me.
There’s never any rush out here; no reason to feel tense,
for worries seem to melt away beyond the Rabbit Fence.

It doesn’t cost a cent in rent; you live the way you choose
and have the choice of campsites with their million dollar views.
And time no longer matters; there’s no need to watch the clock,
the sun’s the only timepiece on your billion acre block.

Your days are filled with pleasure even as you toil away,
that sense of freedom’s always there no matter what the day.
The rotten flies are thick at times and heat can be intense,
yet that’s a price we’re glad to pay beyond the Rabbit Fence.

The beauty of the mornings as the sun begins to rise,
still melts the hearts of Bushmen which I guess is no surprise
You never cease to marvel at the sights that you behold,
The vastness and the splendour as you watch the day unfold.

You know that you’ve been lucky; that you’re blessed to have been here
and pray that man won’t change it; see this magic disappear.
Or mar the timeless beauty of this land that’s so immense,
you feel it’s ancient heartbeat here, beyond the Rabbit Fence.

late afternoons are special as the sun begins to sink
and stock are heading to the mills as they come in to drink.
Then right on dusk there’s silence - not a single sound is heard,
until at last a murmur as a gentle breeze has stirred.

Your cheery campfire crackles; there’s the scent of burning leaves,
the magic of the outback is the gift that one receives.
For life is what you make of it; you need no recompense,
you stay because you love it here, beyond the Rabbit fence.

******

© T. E. Piggott

[vwalla]

Thanks for that Terry. I feel as if I've been there now
Val W

[Terry]

Thanks for taking the time to read it Val.

Cheers

Terry