The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
- Stephen Whiteside
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The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
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
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
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
It does make one fall to their knees and cry.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
Yes I do like that Stephen, very good...everything seems to stop when the water disappears.
Ross
- Catherine Lee
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
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.
- Stephen Whiteside
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
Thanks Ross and Catherine. Nothing like a bit of repetition to drive home the point, eh, Catherine?
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
- Shelley Hansen
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
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
I can see this one doing well with school kids - hope you'll consider exposing it to that sector.
Cheers
Shelley
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")
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")
- Stephen Whiteside
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:07 pm
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Re: The Sutherland Creek Is Dry
Thanks, Shelley. Good thought.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au