The Outback

The *Outback - Ian

When I’m driving in the centre of this continent of mine
In the hot and dusty landscape little known
Where the weather is predictable it’s almost always fine
And gigantic marbles scattered round are thrown

Where *Uluru stands proudly on a stark and naked plain
And original Australians keep its guard
Where stories of the *Dreamtime are repeated once again
And the modern life around it but façade

Where suddenly a waterhole though hidden in ravine
Will excite the senses cool the burning feet
And you share its quiet seclusion at the water cool and clean
For its there the wandering *camel finds retreat

In the burning heat of noonday even reptiles seek the shade
Weary travellers seek shelter for repose
In the desert cold of evening you can see what God has made
An explosion of the starry skies so close

And you wonder why you’re headed back to urgent city toil
As you leave this Dreamtime country far behind
For it really is a privilege to tread the outback soil
In the city peace of mind is hard to find


“© Ian Grice 2008”

 Outback – A term Australians use for the remote areas of Australia, particularly the red centre.
 Uluru - The giant rock mountain in the centre of Australia formerly known as Ayres Rock sacred to Aboriginal people
 Dreamtime – Mythological past as celebrated by the Aboriginal communities of Australia
 Camel – Not native to Australia, probably introduced with their Afghan handlers in the early 1800s and now running wild in the outback.