ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Looking Back

Near forgotten memories of youth, return to me again,
of a creek that’s lined with ghost gums on a distant sunburnt plain.
With the far-off hills that beckoned as they came then into view
and the peaceful silence of that country; I remember too.

I can see it now just how it was when first we ventured there,
in an old cantankerous Dodge Truck, we nursed along with care.
Two large waterbags were hanging from its side rails there to chill,
but to start, you had to crank it, I can hear the swearing still.

We were loaded to near breaking point with everything we’d need,
Hurricane Lamps plus tents and food; there were hungry blokes to feed.
We had drinking water for a month to see us on our way,
and that country cast its spell there on arrival that first day.

There were quartz blows stark and ghostly that could dominate a scene,
in this country old as time itself the way it’s always been.
Then my first sight of the breakaways with magic so sublime,
like a curling crashing wave of earth, that’s frozen there in time.

Then the evenings round the campfire with a starry sky above,
yarning there for hours with mates, in country I would grow to love.
With our battered oven simmering on glowing embers there,
while the spuds were wrapped in alfoil, so they’d gently bake with care.


*******
©T.E. Piggott

Really liked it Terry, another masterpiece of description.
I can picture and hear the swearing , and smell the tucker cooking!
In particular I liked the line: ‘like a curling crashing wave of earth, that’s frozen there in time.’
Well done mate.
Cheers
Ron.

Oh that's a ripper of a yarn Terry and so you - I can see you there and also I agree with Ron re the line about the breakaways - pure magic right there. Thank you for sharing some of your memories - I enjoyed the read very much

Thanks Maureen & Ron

I had intended to add a few more stanza's but ended up settling for what you can see.

Terry

Yes, Terry, I totally agree with Ron and Maureen. This is yet another wonderful example of your powerful gift of imagery. You really do take me right out there to experience it with all the senses. Great poem x

Thanks Catherine

Needs a few more stanza's, it's a bit like a promo for the main event I reckon.

Terry

The warmth of distant memories are captured beautifully here Terry. As you once told me, there's a sense of poignancy perceived when writing of real life events and this is the perfect example IMHO! From the vision of a ghost gum lined creek, I could feel the peaceful silence you speak of, then the cantankerous old dodge which incidentally took me back to my childhood & a cantankerous old Buick(which also had water bags hanging from its side rails) that also brought many a curse when having to be cranked! The images you recall shine beautifully as does the appreciation of quality time with mates, memories frozen in time Terry but ignited with the stroke of a pen, you've cast a spell-loved it!

Sue

Thanks Sue

We always have our memories as time and even friends move on.

Terry