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Open Poetry #41
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LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria

0 posted 2007-10-13 09:42 PM



           THE BUSHFIRE

The drought had spread her talon’s cruel,
For the brush and scrub was tinder dry,
The scorching wind with venom blew
Beneath a molten arid sky.

For months on end there’d been no rain
And with stock water dwindling fast,
The squatter had to shift his sheep
To where he hoped the water now would last.

The squatter gazed with grave concern
To where a puff of smoke was seen,
Now he was twenty miles from home
And the smoke lay in between.

To his wife he spoke before he left
And he saw her with premonition shiver,
Should a bushfire come while I’m away,
Take the kids down to the river.

The distant smoke now gathered strength
And billowed upwards in the air,
The tongues of flame quickly followed suit
And left the country black and bare.

It swept across the scrubby plain
Leaving black destruction as it went,
All that lay within it’s path that day,
Would soon know what desolation meant.

The animals and birds were terrified
And before it’s savage fury fled,
Some would live to breed again
While so many more lay dead.

The stock there trapped from fence within
Perished sadly in the flames,
For bushfire, no compassion shows
For property stock or names.

The squatters all from near and far
Along with all their men,
Gathered now to meet the flames
And try to put them out again.

The fighters fought those fearful flames
With every available appliance,
But the bushfire roared with strength anew
And like angry dragons hissed defiance.

On it’s path from ranges wide
With tall mountains full in view,
It hit the timber with a rush
And it’s anger voiced anew.

It leapt across the timbered creek
Like a charger to the frey,
And exploded on a mountain top
Over five hundred yards away.

The very air seemed now on fire
And as it crossed the mountain’s brow,
It was an inferno from the jaws of hell,
Only God could stop it now.

It roared and crackled through the trees
With all things blackened in it’s wake,
It was closing in on the squatter’s home
With the squatter’s family’s life at stake.

The river now was their only hope
But she had left their run to late,
So quick was the fire travelling now,
It seemed that death must be their fate.

The squatter’s wife with children two
Now huddled petrified with fear,
Why was it that she had to die
Along with those she loved so dear.

But up above those clouds of smoke
Other clouds were building too,
Storm clouds laden full with rain
And the wind stronger now it blew.

Then as if by some signal given
With the smoke all swirling higher,
The wind swung round to face the flames
And blew back that wall of fire.

While wind and flames in death struggles fought
And peril seemed at it’s worst,
It seemed it was an act of God
When that mighty rain cloud burst.

Now there came after months of drought
A mighty clap of thunder,
And down in torrents poured the rain
To tear those living flames asunder.

Back and down the flames were forced
By the sheer weight of water,
The squatter’s wife with hope renewed
Clutched tight her son and daughter.

Then down the track a welcome sound
Among the thunder’s sweet refrain,
The squatter on his weary horse
Came galloping through the rain.

As he sprang down on the blackened sod
In his eyes were tears of joy,
For running out to meet him there
Was his daughter, wife and little boy.

“ Thank God thank God,” the squatter cried,
And never truer words were spoken,
For with family safe and fire put out
And the drought at last was broken.

© Copyright 2007 Lindsay P Wilson - All Rights Reserved
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
1 posted 2007-10-13 10:39 PM


Hi Owl.
What a story! kept me on the edge of my seat. Very well done. I have to say, You're a better woman than I am . Where you live sounds scary to me. Not that we don't have brush fires here but along with the break  ins etc, It sounds like a harsh place to live.                        Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2007-10-14 05:51 AM


Oops, Ida, this isn't my poem!

Lindsay, you had the tears streaming down my face for the drama and fear of the family, and though I was very relieved that the family was safe, my heart is still broken for fear and/or burns and/or deaths of the animals and birds and insects and reptiles and all other animal life.  Even if this was a fictional poem, I know that Australia has many devastating bush fires.  

- Owl

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
3 posted 2007-10-14 07:08 AM


Fine writing...James
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2007-10-14 07:11 AM


So sorry to both of you. I don't know why I mix you two up in my mind sometimes. It may be because I read and enjoy you both and you often talk of drought. Please accept my appologies.
                             Ida

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
5 posted 2007-10-14 08:13 AM


Dear Lindsay, this was so vivid that I felt involved.
You have a great talent.
Love,
Margherita

HopeS
Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia
6 posted 2007-10-14 12:57 PM


yes we are heading for bushfire season , I saw a few in the dustance even today

Hope

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
7 posted 2007-10-14 02:29 PM


"While wind and flames in death struggles fought
And peril seemed at it’s worst,
It seemed it was an act of God
When that mighty rain cloud burst."

~ Amen! Hallelujah! God ofttimes comes to our rescue at the so-called 11th hour! Divine timing can be trying! lol

Lindsay, I was engaged from beginning to end of this highly dramatic story! My emotions ran the gamut!

Not only are you a talented writer, but you have eyes and a heart that see more than most.

Love to you, Dear Poet!

Linda

FlipPhone
New Member
since 2007-10-11
Posts 4
NY, NY
8 posted 2007-10-14 02:33 PM


This style seems archaic, regular meter and standard rhyme, reminding me of English Romantic Period.

Just out of curiosity, what do you read?

-Well done.

www.pinemartin.blogspot.com

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
9 posted 2007-10-14 09:51 PM



Ida, Owl and James, Margherita, Hope and

Linda, it always makes me feel so humble when I read all you great poet's response,  

I thank you sincerely for you've made my day, thank you.

Lindsay

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
10 posted 2007-10-14 10:03 PM



FlipPhone, welcome to Pips poetry, I only joined up this year myself but had I known about it earlier that would not have been the case. You will get a lot of enjoyment out of reading the works of so many great poets. You ask about the type of books that I like to read, well autobiographys are my favoutites and stories on wild life as well.

Thank you for your interest

Earl Brinkman
Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183
Osaka, Japan
11 posted 2010-09-01 08:09 PM


I have never experienced a bushfire but they sound incredibly scary.  This was another fine poem.
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