ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Uncharted Journey
(c) Shelley Hansen 4/6/18

I ordered a piece from an artist -
"A seascape's the ticket," I said.
"You know - something coastal and soothing ..."
She nodded. I said, "Go ahead!"

I came to collect my new painting
expecting I'd like what I saw,
but when she rotated the easel
my senses absorbed so much more.

My present surroundings receded ...
I savoured the salt on the breeze
that tickled my ears with its mischief,
retreating to sigh in the trees.

I thought of the sweet days of childhood,
of fishing adventures with Dad,
while shrieking gulls fought for position
to claim any scraps that we had.

A stealthy white crane stalked the mangroves,
a pelican stood on the brink.
"His beak can hold more than his belly,"
my Dad would intone with a wink.

The plump jumping mullet were splashing,
and oysters were crowding the rocks.
The trawlers were slowly arriving,
unloading their catch at the docks.

Those days, so idyllic and precious
had seemed never-ending to me,
and now, though their magic is over
this scene set my memories free.

Her voice dragged me back from my dreaming ...
and now her work graces my wall.
The route of its uncharted journey
holds happiest moments of all.

Shelley
You've managed to paint an equally delightful scene with your words.
Thanks ValW

Thanks so much, Val!

Whoo Hooo! You nailed it Now that's my kind of painting Shelley - well done. Love it.

Thanks Maureen!

I know the subject of fishing with my Dad is a recurring theme with me ... but again, your prompts did the job and took me back through the years!!

Incredibly vivid picture Shelley - love it! As with Maureen's, all the senses come into play, and it brought to mind a seascape painting that's been in my own family for years - not to mention a smile with the reference to the familiar 'pelican' rhyme tucked in there which my Dad (probably all Dads, everywhere!) used to say.

I agree with everyone, you have painted a very clear picture with your excellent choice of words.
Well done Shelley a pleasure to read.

Terry

Thanks so much Terry and Catherine!

Yes, I think it's true that many Dads everywhere used to recite the pelican poem!

Cheers
Shelley

That is really well done Shelley. You have made the vivid images bring the experience of the seaside alive in words. By an earlier comment, you seemed to be a bit hesitant to do the subject but look what has come out of your thoughts, great !

I wonder sometimes why we focus so much on the bush for the Australian "legend" , when Australians are really dedicated to the sea coast,our European settlement was founded by sailors and our early British governors were naval officers. Seaside homes are the most desirable of real estate.

Of course it was Ogden Nash who wrote
A funny old bird is the pelican
His beak can hold more than his belly can.

Thank you Neville!

Your comment is so true ... the “traditional” Aussie wears an Akubra and chokes in outback dust - yet we have always been a seafaring nation as well, and most people’s lives are coastal.

So many stories of voyages, heroism, shipwrecks from the past ... just waiting to be told in poetry!

Cheers
Shelley