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Open Poetry #41
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The Drover's Wife
| Open Poetry #41 |
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The Drover's Wife |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria 
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The Drover’s Wife She stood at the door of their old slab hut, Her once lovely face was lined with care, At her side, along with their faithful old mutt Were her three young children standing there. Her husband a drover was heading out west, She wouldn’t see him again for many a day, All alone with her kids, it was always a test, With sinking heart she watched him ride away. It was a twenty- mile trip to the nearest shack, An old shanty by the side of the road, Might be months before her husband came back And now all alone she would shoulder her load. The heat of the day passed slowly away When she took time out for a cuppa break, Suddenly she heard one of the kids yell then say, Hey mum come quick, there’s a snake. Snatching up a stick that was standing near She quickly raced anxiously out to the yard, She yelled at the children to stand well clear For her troubled heart was now beating hard. Her ten- year old son with excited face Stood pointing at the hole beneath the wall, It slid in there ‘neath the slab floor base He exclaimed, as she ran to his call. Grabbing the children, she forced them back And told them all to stand well clear, In the sand she could see the reptile’s track And her worried face welled up with fear. In a saucer she placed a few drops of milk, She was hoping to entice the reptile out, Having a fervent dread of snakes and their ilk But she would kill it with never a doubt. The sun was starting to sink in the west When she finally took the children inside, She knew for herself there’d be no rest Until that cold- blooded creature had died. On a table that stood on the kitchen floor With rugs & pillows the children were placed, Safety was something she could not ignore, As this nerve- racking problem she faced. She knew that the snake was lying in wait ‘Neath the bush slabs of the old living room, Only time would now tell of its eventual fate, She was overcome with a feeling of gloom. More wood on the kitchen fire she piled, A flickering candle was placed in the hall, The battle light in the dog’s eyes grew wild, As he warily watched the hole in the wall. On the table top slept her three little boys While her lonely night vigil she spent; When ever there arose an unusual noise Rusty would stare at the wall with intent. To protect those boys was her mindful duty While all alone on that vast endless plain, Toil had robbed her of a long gone beauty That nothing could ever bring back again. As she waited a plan she tried to devise In these conditions that could only appall, Then Rusty’s neck hackles started to rise As he eagerly stared at the hole in the wall. She knew by the dog that the snake was close And she felt a slight nervous tremor of fear, She watched transfixed and immediately froze, As she saw two beady black eyes appear, The snakes darting tongue was testing the air, Then slithered forward this cold blooded thing, Rustys’ only movement was his rigid back’s hair But at the right moment he was ready to spring. The snake from the slab was now a foot clear When it suddenly sensed the danger at hand, In a flash it put its head in a hole that was near, Its tail whipping round like a cut rubber band. Rusty sprang forward and grabbed at the snake His jaws snapping shut like the jaws of a trap, Nothing on earth could that savage grip break As he slowly pulled the snake from the gap. The woman moved in with her raised up club Hitting down on the snake’s stretching back, Rusty was pulling as if you’d stretch out a grub And out came a five foot red-bellied black. Thud thud, thud thud, its back was now broke And old Rusty shook it like shaking a rat, To make sure it was dead she gave it a poke And then gratefully gave old Rusty a pat. The fire died away in his bright yellow eyes For snakes in him raised a formidable ire, Picking up the snake, her relief no disguise As she threw and watched it burn in the fire. Her eldest sun stood in his worn tattered shirt And gazed at a woman quite vacant of mirth And though she was dressed in an old ragged skirt He thought she was the greatest mother on earth. He said I’ll never go droving, it’s a thing I detest And with emotion she was unable to speak, She clutched tight her son to her worn out breast And tears fell unhindered down her old weathered cheek. |
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| © Copyright 2007 Lindsay P Wilson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seeker72 Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 387Oregon USA |
I remember as a Kid nearly getting bitten by a red belly black, nasty little buggers they are. Damn good poem. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
You tell a fine story, LP. Ida |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Hi, LP. I love how you engage a reader's senses and attention throughout all of your 'storytales'.  Your 'raconteuring' skills are admirable! You are very talented, Aussie Man! P.S. As soon as I receive your book of poetry, I will let you know and I will send a money order off to you! I'm looking forward to receiving it! |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Thanks folks I'm pleased that you liked it It gives one a great sense of satisfaction when other people enjoy your poetry and being bitten by a red bellied black snake is something to be avoided at all costs. Lindsay |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Seems to be my evening for goose flesh. My hair stood on end right along with old Rusty's. I've not ever seen a poison snake, but I did see a six foot black bull snake once. Even the little red racers make my blood run cold. Until we are faced with the wild, it's easy to forget the hardships of those who pioneered our paths, and women who were just as instrumental to our survival as men. I waited breath abated. Enjoyed very much your tale of endurance. ~ KL |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Sorry if I made your hair stand on end but snakes can be scary things but thanks anyway for your kind response. Take care. Lindsay |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
LOL We can just chalk it up to a bad hair day. hehe! I loved reading your poem, because I've always been enchanted with stories of courage, love and perserverance. This one has all three elements. |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
enjoyed write lindsay! just trying to see all the poems i have missed while i wasnt on! ARCTIC WIND |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
What a great suspenseful tale! |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
I knew this was going to be great read Lindsay!  enjoyed RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed...reminds me of my occasions with the local centipedes...not quite as interesting, I just wack them with my back scratcher and throw them in the yard...James |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Artic Wind, Midnitesun, Roniece and James Thanks so much for your kind response. It's much appreciated. Lindsay |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
You tell good suspenseful stories that are quite enjoyable. |
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