Ar, Ar, Ar, the cockies call while flying overhead
to interrupt my quiet peaceful rest.
Lying in the dry leafy bed,
the Murray River flows down below,
its gentle rippling waters green
continue on it's quiet destiny.
I lay and bask exposed to sun
high up in cloudless sky of blue
that surrounds those green gum trees
that sway to gentle puffs of breeze.
The colours on the branches above,
stark white with greys and browns
never ending symmetry created in natures dreams.
Dry twigs that fall and lay upon the ground
that crackles when you walk this carpet earth.
I gaze above my eyes do squint, oppressed by sunny skies,
its warmth on skin,
my soul refills with liquid from its rays.
The twitter of the little birds,
their song, a melody, an operatic bushland sound
no man could recreate.
The cawing of a crow is heard,
arr, arr, arr, arr, arr, its mate responds the same,
their conversation mystery will remain.
The gentle river flows along
and caught by sunlight rays,
its ripples sparkle like a starry night.
The midges scurry all about in shallows,
beneath the trees, they dart a frenzied hurry up
in search their quest unknown.
An ant just quickly passes by,
his destiny only he knows, he has a plan.
Through leaves and twigs he roams from left to right,
then forward marches, unseen now lost to undergrowth.
Some ducks upon the river now,
like bobbing corks they swim from one side to the other
and up upon the bank they shake their tails,
their flapping wings release the water caught beneath.
They watch with eyes of sharpness sight
for that which passes by,
then fly into the murky water,
swoop or duck beneath the shallows too.
They waddle past,
oblivious to my observing eyes,
these lovely birds their freedom unopposed.
A ripple now disturbs the glass
this river does reflect the many circles quickly do appear,
just what upset it tranquil peace?
An insect or a fish it's mirror interrupts.
A fishing boat motors by, a slow and steady pace,
rods poised with bated hooks below.
"I've got him" cries the man in red,
quickly kills the motor here
and reels a yellow belly in with joy.
This fish's fate is now revealed,
he'll end up on a plate
and never will again with others swim on by.
But below this murky stream
these fish their senses now alert,
evade this menace up above called man.
The laughter of the kids downstream
their splashes can be heard,
they swim around and shriek with cold
until their heated bodies meld with river water cool,
they frolic in the shallows, having fun.
The breeze picks up a welcome feel
it cools my body warm,
the rustle of the leaves it fans in flight.
Those pesky little bush flies swoop
with cushioned feet they walk across my thigh,
my sweat they seek, like nectar joyous drink.
Until I wave my arm a warning go,
but they return they do not fear,
I feel their tickle up and down my skin.
My sun has shifted in the sky above,
the shadows now surround my sunny spot.
I lay here still enjoy the peaceful day,
my company is nature's wonderful things.
The tree, the sky, and river flows, the breeze,
the flies, the birds, small insects,
sounds of rustling leaves,
as memories of today are mine to take.
This glimpse of heaven keep.
Then fading light begins to frame the river run,
yet soft white clouds still sit high in the sky.
The campfire flickers bright with colours red and yellow,
hot coals appear radiating warmth to end of day.
The roast in oven cooks amongst the coals,
these smells do permeate the air.
it's time for me to go.
|
Author Notes
I wrote this poem in 2009 while spending the day lying on the banks of the Murray River, in sun baking and enjoying the peace. I actually looked at all the wonderful things in and out of the river and this is how I saw this day. My memories still take me back to that wonderful experience. A camping holiday.
Murray River a very popular camping and fishing spot in Victoria Australia
Cockies are Cocatoo birds, very noisy
Midges are small insects that dart around rivers.
Crow a black bird with a distinct call
Yellow belly a fish caught in the Murray
The image is one of my many photos of the Murray River
|
|
