THE FLOWERDALE TATTOO
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:12 pm
THE FLOWERDALE TATTOO
They’ve done the hard yards, fought the fires and fears, gone on with life
and soldiered on as people do to through drought, floods, fires and strife.
Now this community has bonded – each has become their neighbours strength
and friendships forged then still hold fast, and the time seems of no length.
At Kinglake one night they partied – for all had stories to tell.
Tales of hope and love and courage – tales of hot black fiery hell.
Tales of losses shared and heartbreak, homes burnt down to tin and ash.
Stories of bravery under fire – as fires turned towns to trash.
They had dinner, and conversation – Belly dancing just for fun.
Those who swivelled hips and tits were surely not to be outdone.
The laughter was what was needed – and a chance of reconnection
with their spirits undiminished – they’d soon start the re erection.
One lady told how her home burned down to the ground that night.
Her garden was her pride and joy – but now it looked a fright
but she said now golden daffodils are pushing through the soil
and this little touch of yellow gives reward for all the toil.
Flowerdale alone lost thirteen souls. Two hundred homes were razed
by the fiery enemy whose hot breath set their town ablaze
and yet despite the black destruction that was seen for miles around
a symbol of hope had flourished and now reunited the town.
A stark black skeleton appeared – a tree with but one leaf
of brightest green, to symbolize the hope and sheer belief
that from the ashes they would rise again – go forth and carry on
the Flowerdale tattoo symbolized this, and honoured those now gone.
Whole families embraced the cause – the oldest eighty five.
They had the symbol tattooed on their skin – all wore it with pride.
It has helped bond the community – this black tree with one leaf
and they’ve started now rebuilding and that too eases grief.
Such a very simple gesture, such a very simple thought
but ideas like this are often all that’s needed when we’re fraught,
to instil a sense of courage, a determination to win:
which explains why folks of Flowerdale have trees tattooed on their skin.
Maureen Clifford © 01/11
Fires ravaged the areas around King Lake and Flowerdale in February 2009. The residents are now rebuilding their town, and the blackened trees that surrounded the area have started to regenerate – one leaf at a time.
They’ve done the hard yards, fought the fires and fears, gone on with life
and soldiered on as people do to through drought, floods, fires and strife.
Now this community has bonded – each has become their neighbours strength
and friendships forged then still hold fast, and the time seems of no length.
At Kinglake one night they partied – for all had stories to tell.
Tales of hope and love and courage – tales of hot black fiery hell.
Tales of losses shared and heartbreak, homes burnt down to tin and ash.
Stories of bravery under fire – as fires turned towns to trash.
They had dinner, and conversation – Belly dancing just for fun.
Those who swivelled hips and tits were surely not to be outdone.
The laughter was what was needed – and a chance of reconnection
with their spirits undiminished – they’d soon start the re erection.
One lady told how her home burned down to the ground that night.
Her garden was her pride and joy – but now it looked a fright
but she said now golden daffodils are pushing through the soil
and this little touch of yellow gives reward for all the toil.
Flowerdale alone lost thirteen souls. Two hundred homes were razed
by the fiery enemy whose hot breath set their town ablaze
and yet despite the black destruction that was seen for miles around
a symbol of hope had flourished and now reunited the town.
A stark black skeleton appeared – a tree with but one leaf
of brightest green, to symbolize the hope and sheer belief
that from the ashes they would rise again – go forth and carry on
the Flowerdale tattoo symbolized this, and honoured those now gone.
Whole families embraced the cause – the oldest eighty five.
They had the symbol tattooed on their skin – all wore it with pride.
It has helped bond the community – this black tree with one leaf
and they’ve started now rebuilding and that too eases grief.
Such a very simple gesture, such a very simple thought
but ideas like this are often all that’s needed when we’re fraught,
to instil a sense of courage, a determination to win:
which explains why folks of Flowerdale have trees tattooed on their skin.
Maureen Clifford © 01/11
Fires ravaged the areas around King Lake and Flowerdale in February 2009. The residents are now rebuilding their town, and the blackened trees that surrounded the area have started to regenerate – one leaf at a time.