ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

LYING ON THE EQUATOR

Jeff Thorpe © 01 August 2016

What lies on the Equator, with what does it align,
nothing I suspect, for it’s an artificial line,
like Harry Potter and Gandalf, the Equator doesn’t exist,
an intangible item but, it cannot be dismissed.

This imaginary mark lies halfway ‘tween the earth’s poles,
precise location is not fixed because the earth rolls.
Some forty thousand kms long and mostly over ocean,
arbiter as it were of hemispheres’ promotion.

Thirteen countries are located on or near Equator’s track,
four seasons in these nations are one detail that they lack,
climate mostly humid, not subject to extremes,
white Christmases in these states an article of dreams.

Closest major city to Equator is Quito in Ecuador
this in the southern hemisphere, in the north Singapore,
these lie less than five degrees from the path of the Equator,
Kenyan capital Nairobi too, a distance not much greater.

The Equator’s one of five latitude rings around the earth,
it the longest loop as it stretches round the girth,
tropics of Capricorn and Cancer number two and three
while Arctic and Antarctic circles complement the See.

Eighty percent of the world’s people live above the Equator,
China and India’s populace a recurrent accelerator,
Brazil and Indonesia lead the southern hemisphere
as preponderance of ocean there does tend to interfere.

In this context Australia seems to “punch above its weight”,
while small in people numbers, achievements have been great
especially as by world terms the nation is still young,
“down under” does not suggest prosperity comes unstrung.

Studies show those living near the Equator are prone to allergy
not at all related to disorder or to anarchy,
constant ultra violet-B exposure to the sun’s rays
can affect immune systems, thus the population pays.

Amazing what’s on offer ‘bout an entity artificial
and I for one, have found such information beneficial,
the Equator a subject on which I’ve become astute,
just let me loose on Geography in Trivial Pursuit.

Yes, Jeff, I definitely want to be on your team in Trivial Pursuit!!

What an interesting topic - and one that would not have crossed my orbit in a poetic sense at all! Just shows that nothing is off limits for us Aussie bush poets!!

Cheers
Shelley

Hi Shelley

Thanks for your comments.

This topic was one nominated by my Writer's Group. I'm the only poet in the group and some of the topics make one think outside the square, as it were. I'm always reminded of Ellis Campbell's tuition on metre especially, and siting it and rhyme in an unusual setting to get the story across is a challenge.

That said, I enjoyed researching and writing this poem and as indicated, learned a lot about the Equator.

Cheers, Jeff