The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

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Stephen Whiteside
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The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Mon Mar 19, 2018 8:28 pm

The Sutherland Creek is Dry

This is a place for chattering birds, for green, red, yellow and blue.
They’re active and busy and cheerful and bright, they always have something to do.
But now they are silent, they cannot be seen, and I know the reason why,
For the birds rely on the Sutherland Creek, and the Sutherland Creek is dry.

This is a place for lizards and snakes, for flickering tongues and scales,
For small, stumpy legs and for glittering eyes and for long, reptilian tails;
But the lizards and snakes cannot be found, no matter how hard you try,
For they, too, rely on the Sutherland Creek, and the Sutherland Creek is dry.

This is a place for rounded stones, reflecting the midday sun,
For water that burbles above and around them, having magnificent fun;
For deep, dark pools where nought can be heard, save for the buzz of a fly,
But there’s none of this now at the Sutherland Creek, for the Sutherland Creek is dry.

This is a place for the world to dance, awash with the joys of life,
For pleasure and ease to banish disease, and any last traces of strife,
But if you stand now by the Sutherland Creek, you will fall to your knees, and you’ll cry,
For joy depends on the Sutherland Creek…and the Sutherland Creek is dry.

© Stephen Whiteside 19.03.2018
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Last edited by Stephen Whiteside on Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au

Neville Briggs
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Neville Briggs » Tue Mar 20, 2018 3:59 pm

It does make one fall to their knees and cry.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

r.magnay
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by r.magnay » Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:33 pm

Yes I do like that Stephen, very good...everything seems to stop when the water disappears.
Ross

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Catherine Lee
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Catherine Lee » Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:45 pm

I really like this, Stephen. The way you've contrasted how the creek should be with the way it is currently, combined with that repetition of the title statement at the end of each stanza, makes it seem extra poignant to me.

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Stephen Whiteside
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:46 am

Thanks Ross and Catherine. Nothing like a bit of repetition to drive home the point, eh, Catherine?
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
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Shelley Hansen
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Shelley Hansen » Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:59 pm

I echo Catherine's words, Stephen - a really good example of a powerful word picture portrayed without unnecessary complexity.

I can see this one doing well with school kids - hope you'll consider exposing it to that sector.

Cheers
Shelley
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fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
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Stephen Whiteside
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:57 pm

Thanks, Shelley. Good thought.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au

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