ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Another old one I dredged up, having just returned from a trip to Adelaide, and the sea change is about at the six month mark now it is pretty appropriate as well!



“Take Me Back”

© Ross Magnay 12/08

Just two days I’m in the city and I hate the bloody place,
for there’s people rushing everywhere like some amazing race,
while the buildings keep on reaching up for ever greater heights,
and the city dwellers hurry makes them walk against the lights,
and their eyes just look straight through me, they will never step aside,
as they’re sweeping down the footpath like a rushing northern tide.

Then the rubbish left behind them from their smokes and greasy snacks,
once again has set me yearning for the dusty desert tracks,
for the open air and freedom that the desert offers me,
where the light pole on the corner now becomes a mulga tree,
now the rushing city dweller is a ‘roo a hawk or dog,
and the fumes of city traffic now become a desert fog.

So I’ll visit in the city but it’s not the place for me,
I’m returning to the outback where I know I’m meant to be.

Them's beautiful words Ross - thank you for sharing them

A good one Ross
I'm with you-not a city girl at all. The only good thing to ever come out of the city-the road home!

Sue

Very true Ross I know the feeling well but health does not allow to live out there any more worse luck,


bill the old battler

Just two days I'm in the country, and I hate the bloody place.
I miss each friendly handshake, and each bright familiar face;
Just these lonely desert humpies, or a tarp beside a tree.
It's the city with its bustle and its cheeriness for me,
Where my mates are all so loyal, and return my steady gaze
While we stroll along the footpaths and enjoy our city ways.

The desert seems so empty, with no signs of human life,
Just the bleached, white bones of animals that point to former strife.
The lonely, empty mulga tree becomes a light pole, bright,
And I'm yearning for the theatres and cafes of the night.
A hawk or dog or kangaroo becomes a city friend,
And the desert fog is mist upon a graceful river bend.

So I'll visit to the outback, but it's not the place for me.
I'm returning to the city, where I know I'm meant to be.

Mulga tree - what mulga tree??? And where are the kanga-bloody-roos ???

been there, seen them!....
No patients today Doc?....pretty quick response!....and I thought you hated "mates" and only had "buddies"......

Yeah, I thought about that. You've got a good memory. I didn't want to keep using friends, and buddies had too many syllables. Had to compromise but, yes, wasn't entirely comfortable.

When you're struggling for quality, you have to take refuge in speed!

... ..good onya Doc.

To walk beside my horse, behind a mob of slowly moving cattle
to see the windmill in the distance of a straight and lonely land
to where loneliness will be for ever, for all to understand,

in regards to your first photo Manfred.

bill the old battler