Australian Outback church. Pastel painting by Sian Butler.
Paintings of Australian Outback churches by Sian Butler. The paintings are free to download, print and share, but not for commercial use without the artist’s permission. Poetry about old Australian Outback churches also by Sian Butler.
Please remember this is poetry not theology. For example, I don’t personally think infant baptism is biblical. It is meant to be a poem (and a brilliant one in my opinion) and not a theological treatise.
The artist and poet Sian Butler.
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“Sacred Memories”
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Poem by Sian Butler
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The local mine has closed down
miners and families have moved from town
Small farms have failed to thrive
or in times of drought survive
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Old church in the red heart of Australia. Pastel painting by Sian Butler.
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Most people have left
and the town is bereft
In the church attendance numbers fall
until there are simply none at all
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Sepia version – the above painting manipulated on a computer to look much the same as if Sian had done the same subject in sepia. Painting by Sian Butler, manipulated by her son, David Clode.
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But this is still Holy Ground
where memories abound
in this sacred place
far from the city’s rat race
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Church on a hill. Painting by Sian Butler.
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For this church it is too late
it has finally bowed to fate
and closed its windows and door
yet it still holds reflections of yore
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Sepia version.
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The echoes of sermons long past
these blessings will forever last
In the shadows and shafts of light
remain stories of wrong and of right
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Yellow church. Painting by Sian Butler.
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There were celebrations here
by folk who held life dear
They brought their troubles and also their joys
like the baptisms of baby girls and boys
after marriages made in love
and blessed by heaven above
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Sepia version.
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Deaths came too
as they always do
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Australian Outback church. Pastel painting by Sian Butler.
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But one wonders why
a small child had to die
or a mother giving birth
then her body returned to the earth
with the infant left for another to rear
bravely trying not to shed a tear
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Sepia version.
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Young soldiers in their prime
died long before their time
Some lives were long
as their bodies were strong
They lived till old age
and the life of a sage
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Gold church. Painting by Sian butler.
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There were rituals for humanity
that helped to save one’s sanity
On Good Friday people came to mourn
On Easter Sunday to be reborn
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Sepia version.
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The Christmas service was a joy
for every man, woman, girl and boy
with well-loved carols of choice
to which they could all give voice
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An inverted version which looks a bit like a night scene. There is a light on in the old church. Perhaps a remnant of two or three have gathered together in His name for a prayer meeting.
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One needs have Faith in an overall plan
that God has designed for each child, woman and man
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This building will for years still stand
now dilapidated, nothing grand
but the people who worshipped here
although no longer near
in their hearts will still hold
these memories of old.
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Thank you Sian for sharing your poetry and paintings with one and all.
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