A BIDGEE DAWN
© Don Adams
Winner, 2011 ‘Coo-ee March Festival – Outback Section’ Gilgandra, NSW.
The night recedes but slowly for
it lingers on its way
among the gum-lined river bends.
From where a cackling chorus blends
with dawn to greet the day.
The kookaburras’ chortles tell
the world, ‘Look! We’re awake!’
Their hearty chuckles bounce around
the river with a gleeful sound
that they alone can make.
The creatures of the dark have ceased
to fly or creep or crawl.
The bats are in old hollow trunks,
while possums find their tree top bunks,
and mo-pokes mute their call.
A mob of black ducks splash aloft
and quark to cruising height.
With necks thrust forward, arrow straight,
their wings whirr, ‘Hurry. We are late!’
And whisk them out of sight.
The creatures of the light emerge
to face the coming day.
The ones who hunt, who swoop or creep,
and those who flee or burrow deep.
Both predators and prey.
The dawn is smiling brighter now
and songbirds start to sing.
The treetops blush with pinks and reds
as roseate the warm light spreads
and day is on the wing.
So often, when a lad, I walked
throughout the river’s bends.
I loved it there, and I have sworn
once more to see a Bidgee dawn,
before my journey ends.
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