Australian Bush Poetry 2

Outback track. Pastel painting by Sian Butler.

Poems and paintings by Sian Butler (copyright). For more poetry and paintings by Sian Butler, visit the “Australian Bush Poetry 1” page (left click on the menu bar at the top of this page).

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Road past Outback Boabs. Painting by Sian Butler in pastel.

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The artist Sian Butler.

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The Road Beckons

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The space is so wide there’s nowhere to hide

only a stunted tree or two beneath the sky so brilliantly blue

under this expansive dome we’re very far from home.

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The ground is shades of red where maybe no human has tread

The bushes are scrubby, some dense, and just here, not even a fence

Our road stretches ahead as we’re steadily led

to some mountain range far away.

There’s no time to linger or stay

these mountains so old are arranged fold by fold

they tempt us to explore where we hope to find fossils of yore.

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We cross a dry riverbed. There will be more ahead.

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As we travel my thoughts unravel

from the tangle in my mind to some of a better kind

There’s time to be and space for me

to drink in the beauty of this land, the grasses, stones, clouds and sand.

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There are ruts in the road, an odd lizard or toad;

feral animals galore, sadly more and more,

but over there a few emus strong

They at least have the right to belong

A snake slithers away. I’m glad it won’t stay.

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This is an ever changing scene quite different from where we have been

an hour or so ago even though our journey is slow

for we want to savour the sights before we reach city lights

Our hearts open wide and we’re all soothed inside.

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As these memories will last forever we know that we were brave and clever

to have found the courage this trip to take in spite of sacrifices we had to make.

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A drive ‘around the block’ is a chance to take stock

of our lives as they were in the past;

clearly not meant to last.

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When we return there’ll be new ways to learn

Changes need to be made or a heavy price will be paid

for our happiness and health. This travel is real wealth

Time and space to grow though we may not know

what our soul has come to decide which we cannot override.

…To reassess this life we have been given; nevermore to be society driven

on a merry-go-round where we hardly touch ground.

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It is time to relish each day. Yes, work but also play.

To be discerning and when we are yearning

for a simpler way; we just cannot stay.

Before we really tire,

a dose of desert,

we require.

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Wilderness Way. Pastel Australian Outback painting by Sian Butler.

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Outback track. Australian Outback painting by Sian Butler.

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Burnt bush. Pastel Outback painting by Sian Butler.

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A little explanation: to “go around the block” is understated Aussie humour, and means to drive around Australia, which would, I think, be a similar distance to driving around the contiguous USA.

Hopefully, more to come.

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