Summer sizzles everything exposed to sun and winds
From grass and trees to concrete paths,and my wrinkly skin.
Spring was great with rain and storms, everything was green,
Now you must strain your eyes just to see where green has been
The grass is dry, the dust blows by, the birds hide in the shade
What does Nature think of the bare paddocks she has made?
The ground is dry, no plants will grow, no seeds may germinate
Should I have sown that crop last month ? Now it is too late.
Or is this a different year, when change is in the air
And I can sow that pasture late, even when the ground is bare
All farming life is governed by the way each season changes
I look with hope as clouds arise, way up near the ranges
Will there be some rain for us?, will those clouds shed tears ?
Or will this drought continue for another long long year?
Author notes
Many parts of our state are in their seventh consecutive year of drought.
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Such memories this poem brought back for me, of watching the dust devils take the topsoil from the paddocks in their summer dance. I see the temperatures there in Austtralia at the moment, and feel so lucky to be in this green country! Beautiful descriptive writing, Bob.
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Beautiful green country, lovely. I sometimes wish I was back there in the Waikato Valley, green rolling farms, plenty of water and no scorching summers. But, I'm not there and have to live with what is here. 40 + almost every day since just before Xmas. Not nice at all.
You would know of all this having been here yourself. I appreciate your comments and thoughts and thank you for them all.
PS. At least we are not near any bushfires so far this summer. -
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Yes, the bushfire danger has been on my mind - Numeralla is surrounded by native bush, it comes up to the back fence at my place. I hope all is well there, and someone has paid up the insurance!
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so true, Bob, and Victoria is as dry as a bone. I loved your poem because it showed everyone reading how desperate people living off the land are, and how hard it is at this time and has been for many years. We are hoping that this coming winter will be the wettest we have had in years, but I'm doubtful. I don't know what the longest period of drought has been here in this country, but I bet we have a record of sorts. I see Parts of N.S.W were getting some big rain accroding to the weather maps and tv weather people. Hope that's true. Excellent piece of work.
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Many thanks for your supporting comments. NSW still has over half the state in a continuing drought. The north east of the state and the coastal strip is probably OK but the south west is in dire strsights. We are in the grip of heat wave conditions but at least we have water and the local farmers did get some harvest this year.
For me on a personal and probably selfish basis, it's is just too hot. 45 degree plus with about 70 % humidity is out of this world.
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Up north we have had big rain. Wish I could send you down some Bob.
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We are a bit dry but West Wyalong area is entering its seventh straight year of drought. Send them a few inches, please.
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The drought is really a problem there isn't it Bob! You've described it well here! We are having a dry time in the wine regions here.. not good. Hope some rain comes soon for relief!
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Where I am Jackie, it's not that bad. Other places in the state are lining up for seven in a row. When you depend on the farm to generate a living and it doesn't --- it's hell. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. I wonder how they survive in todays world.
many thanks for your comments and the kindness you gave.
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A way of life
And a rembrance of how natures works. Very pictorial indeed for I see clearly now Bob. I am taken there.
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Bob, even in my small way, I try to work with what Natures provides. I started this poem a couple of days ago, posted it today, and now those clouds are here shedding tears.
I am not going to try to figure that out.
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