country

[Delta40]

I heard nyoongar
know Australia
as 'country'
like a relative
a well-loved aunt
who lives miles
off the beaten track
they travel many days
smiling white ivory
flyblown landscape
native life flourish
dry, burnt skin
their country rich
it got everything mate!
those elder women
thick matted hair
smile when country
blow red dust
across their age
and in their eyes
it give them wisdom
in the circle
of women's business
calloused fingers
uncover country's stories
in trails and dots
mixed with red earth
passing down
the knowledge
to young girls
who feel the loving arm
of country as her sunlight
kisses heads
ground art grows
and shows their truth
country make them sing
unites them together
rise up
dance
country look after its children

[Hawkman]

I could hear the chanting
the groan of the digeridoos
and see the dancing,
the clicking of the wooden blocks,
the wailing of the native vox.
Theres something primal about Australia:
give an Aussie a chance
and he'll regail ya
with a tale,
taller the tallest tree
but I don't care
if it's recounted for me.

thanks D40 H

[Delta40]

well hawk, I didn't think of the didge. I mean I heard it an all but I don't know why I didn't mention the sounds, smell and paints....I guess it was in my vision and I couldn't see the desert for the sand!

[Delta40]

ah! I know now. Indigenous are not aloud to even hold a didge let alone play it. that is men's business

[Hawkman]

It was there anyway Delta, in the speach patterns. Very vivid and evocative writing. took me a moment to pick up on it but when I tuned in I was there.

[Jerrybaldy]

Do ya know what it is yet?
its another evocative painting by Delta.
top dollar
goodnight vegimite

[Song of Mercy]

powerful

[Bar22do]

I read this one several times, thinking also of a dear friend lost somewhere there in Australia... I love the flow of your verse and info and imagery it generously shares, clothed with your unique lyrical expression. Thanks a lot - Bar

Oh and I especially love:

those elder women
thick matted hair
smile when country
blow red dust
across their age
and in their eyes

[dafydd manton]

I love the Native Chant feel to this, Delta. Fabulous (again).

[PrinceMyshkin]

Wonderful tribute to a land and a people you seem to know well and want to know even better.

[Delta40]

Wonderful tribute to a land and a people you seem to know well and want to know even better.


thank you

[lallison]

i like your poem very much. Its simple, yet heartfelt. Ending words are my heart's weakness, and I have to say that the last three lines are such perfection. I love this. I always like things that allow me to see a place I didn't think I could see, understand or imagine. This really does this for me.

[Delta40]

i like your poem very much. Its simple, yet heartfelt. Ending words are my heart's weakness, and I have to say that the last three lines are such perfection. I love this. I always like things that allow me to see a place I didn't think I could see, understand or imagine. This really does this for me.

Thank you lallison. its good to know the poem stirred your imagination.