When The Ashburton River Flows

[Terry]

I may have posted a version of this somewhere before, perhaps on Bush Verse.
It was placed 5th in the Snowy Riv. Comp. behind Kym, David, Ellis & Don Adams (not a bad Quartet). I was really pleased because I had no expectations what-so-ever.
Although it had got a third somewhere once, I didn’t think it would be suitable for this comp.


WHEN THE ASHBURTON RIVER FLOWS

The threat of drought has eased now with the hope of rain today,
a cyclone that has crossed the coast is headed out our way.
Strong gale force winds are blowing and dark clouds have filled the sky,
and drops of precious rain caress this land that’s parched and dry.

The cyclone vents its fury and wild rainstorms lash the land,
with driving sheets of water that soon drench the thirsty sand.
Ten thousand tiny rivulets flow into many creeks,
that join their bigger brothers as the swollen river peaks.

Up in the hillside country all the creeks are in full spate,
large boulders are soon crashing; trees below await their fate.
Small streams are pouring into creeks; you hear their waters roar,
the Turee and the Wandarry, the Ford and many more.

Down through the rocky gorges see the raging waters race,
across a river crossing that’s now gone without a trace.
The river hastens onwards; muddy waters breaking free,
to sweeps aside all in its path, while rushing to the sea.

Large river gums hang grimly on despite this latest surge;
they’ve braved a hundred floods before – withstood their cleansing purge.
Bedraggled stock now squelch through mud and move without delay,
they’re seeking out the high ground else they too be swept away.

And from a lonely homestead that’s built high up on the slope,
the station folk are smiling, for with rain there has come hope.
The river runs a banker but they’ve seen it all before,
and after years of endless drought, at last their spirits soar.

The station boss stands watching with both hope and some dismay
the drought has now been broken, but he’ll lose some stock today.
His weathered face impassive hiding thoughts that lurk within,
while scratching somewhat ruefully, the stubble on his chin.

The roads are cut for days on end until the levels fall,
and rain continues tumbling down with each succeeding squall.
The country’s inundated like a massive inland sea,
its surface only broken by small hills or wind swept tree.

At last the winds have dropped; the heavy rain begins to ease
and soon the sun will shine again; then comes a drying breeze.
The river will fall quickly and the creeks will soon be dry,
and clouds will hurry from the scene to leave a bright blue sky.

Now hardy hearts of station folk can dare to hope once more,
the land will soon recover back to what it was before.
This country will be blooming as the cycle starts again,
but long before the year is out, once more will cry for rain.

******

© T.E. Piggott 2009

[Neville Briggs]

Good on ya Terry. Haven't seen you here for a while ? good to see your work coming up again. Congratulations on your award, good one.

[warooa]

Good on ya Terry. Congratulations mate. Fifth behind some bush poetry stalwarts - great stuff.

Hey where's ya bearded mug gone??

Cheers, Marty

[Zondrae]

Congratulations Terry.

I have only opened my results envelope today and noted the standard of the 'names'. You must be thrilled. Have you won many DPA's. I haven't looked back on the records for a while.
It is so good to see members of ABPA taking out so many places in competitions. I think I came about 8th in the serious and 6th in the Humrous. I have had a drought of new ideas lately and have been relying on my past works and the poems I write for homework.

I find it confusing that some poems of mine that I think are a really good write, (or story), don't do very well and the ones that I think are just so-so seem to do better.

[Heather]

Congratulations Terry and well deserved. You are one of the best - always have been in my humble opinion.

Heather

[Terry]

Hi and thanks Everybody, I had just finished answering you all and my connection dropped out, so will do it again after tea.

Terry

[Terry]

Hi Neville,
Thanks for that,
I haven't been posting the odd poem that wins an award because I may enter them in another comp and don't want to be disqualified,
mind you I have entered poems that I have posted before and some still won awards.

G/day Marty,
Thanks for that mate.
Yes I agree, even getting close to that group of top poets, makes me feel pretty good.
I thought it was bad enough inflicting my poems upon you without having to stare at my mush as well. May put up a new one later.

Congratulations Zondrae,
getting a mention in both the serious and the humorous is no mean feat, well done.
No the best I have managed is to share a DPA with Kate, they're the hardest award of all to win.
I have just finished writing a poem that came out of a recent homework topic, I quite like it, so it will probably be a dud.
I slowed down with my writing over the hotter months, just didn't seem to be able to concentrate, but have a few things on the go again now.

Cheers Terry

[Terry]

G/day Heather,
You're just a very kind and generous person - thanks.

Regards Terry

[Heather]

I don't say things I don't mean Terry.

Heather

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good on you Terry - this just rings so true and you have captured the feeling so well. Many would relate to this piece. Have you thought about submitting it to Blues Magazine? They often print interesting pieces like this and it is a magazine/paper that most folks on the land read, and then of course there is Macca, on the ABC.

Hope the next piccy of you is ...interesting

Cheers

Maureen