From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
- Stephen Whiteside
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:07 pm
- Contact:
From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
It was not what I’d expected.
If I ever had elected
A location better suited to the bush birds’ morning song
I’d have thought this spot a beauty.
Now, alas, it is my duty
To inform you very sadly I was badly, madly wrong.
For I heard one singer only,
And his song seemed sad and lonely
As it echoed round the courtyard, and it rather got me down,
And my mood of calm contentment
Turned to surly, deep resentment,
And I cursed the arid vacuum of this wretched, tin-pot town,
And it seemed the greatest pity
That I’d ever left the city
Where a multi-layered chorus greets me daily, dusk and dawn,
For I pondered the thin singing
In my ears so faintly ringing,
And my early adulation was replaced by nought but scorn.
So I learned a lesson, surely,
Though belatedly and poorly
That the world is often tricky, and it’s seldom smooth and straight,
And the birds that gather daily
By my window, singing gaily,
I appreciate more fully, for they truly are first rate!
© Stephen Whiteside 08.09.2016
It was not what I’d expected.
If I ever had elected
A location better suited to the bush birds’ morning song
I’d have thought this spot a beauty.
Now, alas, it is my duty
To inform you very sadly I was badly, madly wrong.
For I heard one singer only,
And his song seemed sad and lonely
As it echoed round the courtyard, and it rather got me down,
And my mood of calm contentment
Turned to surly, deep resentment,
And I cursed the arid vacuum of this wretched, tin-pot town,
And it seemed the greatest pity
That I’d ever left the city
Where a multi-layered chorus greets me daily, dusk and dawn,
For I pondered the thin singing
In my ears so faintly ringing,
And my early adulation was replaced by nought but scorn.
So I learned a lesson, surely,
Though belatedly and poorly
That the world is often tricky, and it’s seldom smooth and straight,
And the birds that gather daily
By my window, singing gaily,
I appreciate more fully, for they truly are first rate!
© Stephen Whiteside 08.09.2016
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
- Shelley Hansen
- Posts: 2277
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
- Location: Maryborough, Queensland
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Wow, Stephen - that's a pearler! I love it!!
You've maintained that momentum so skillfullly! Is it based on a real experience?
Cheers
Shelley
You've maintained that momentum so skillfullly! Is it based on a real experience?
Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com
"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com
"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8175
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Good one Stephen
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
- Stephen Whiteside
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:07 pm
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Thanks Maureen, Shelley.
Yes, Shelley, loosely.
Yes, Shelley, loosely.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
- thestoryteller
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
- Location: Bargara, Queensland.
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
We have a constant early morning serenade as we have a native tree garden along our kitchen back patio and trees out the front as well. Though I must admit that the rain bird could incorporate a few more notes to his melody.
Thanks for sharing Stephen.
Merv
Thanks for sharing Stephen.
Merv
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.
- Stephen Whiteside
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:07 pm
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Thanks, Merv. Sound pretty good!
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
- Catherine Lee
- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 pm
- Location: Thailand
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Just read this three times over Stephen, and I think it's delightful!
- Stephen Whiteside
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:07 pm
- Contact:
Re: From the City to the Bush…and Back to the City!
Thank you, Catherine!
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au