ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

(Cattle-camp collection) Keith Garvey spent most of his life on horseback, and he has written of what he lived and witnessed as a stockman. his verses are garnered from practical experience and a photographic memory.


THE TRACK TO YESTERDAY

Drop your load and rest, oh weary traveller,
See! the shades of night are falling fast,
Take a trip along the road to yesterday,
Dream again your dreams of seasons past.
Sitting where the campfire glows and glitters,
Still the sombre night and soft the rain,
Looking back along the road to yesterday,
Living in rememberance joy and pain.

Thinking sad and glad of old romances,
When the fire of youth was burning strong,
Empty words and soft deceitful glances,
Dreams that to the dying past belong.
Travelling once again the tracks of memory,
Greiving for a heart that wasn't true,
Looking back along the road to yesterday,
Seeing all the things we didn't do.

Wishing we could live the old life over,
Back before the world was mean and small,
Endless lay the long leagues for the rover,
Where no longer now the red gods call.
Short and slow of step with faces haggard,
Far to late the bad mistakes to rue,
Travelling down the track that leads to yesterday,
Mourning all the things we didn't do.

Fortune that escaped us, never mind it,
Fame we dreamed about and never gained,
Gleaners of the gold, who seldom find it,
Losers by the gods of luck disdained.
Looking back on days and tears and laughter,
Times of vibrant joy and cruel dismay,
Hoping for a better life here after,
Dreaming on the track to yesterday.

Rest and dream with spells of memorys binding,
Ageing minds as dreary day grows late,
Take a tramp along the road to yesterday,
Where we held our tournaments with fate.
Live again the old desires long sleeping,
Scattered far along life's stony way,
Ashes cold where flames of youth were leaping,
Landmarks on the track to yesterday.



Keith Garvey. (Cattle-Camp Collection)

That's a good one Duncan.

Made it a new year resolution to read a bit more about the cattle drives and such. part of our history that should not be forgotten. After all I was he face of Charbray Cattle at the last Beef expo.


Great poem Bob

......always thought there was abit of bull in you...!....

Ross not to sure which end suits.

The front or the rear.


Mooooooo Bob

A poem that makes you think.....doesn't it.