The Pain of Drought

The Pain of Drought By Kevin L Fairbrother The road trains full of emancipated cattle roar by Heading south to somewhere that is lush and green For the big dry out west as tightened it’s grip As the dry westerly winds lay the paddocks bare -- The cows they roar and moan and stamp their feet At the struggling calves that lay dying in the dirt and dust The Kites on high circle the scene of death and dying As the mothers walk away they dive bomb the carcasses -- The cattle cluster round the dwindling water holes and shade Their skeleton clearly visible held together by skin and bone The heat so intense they endure .. together with the millions of flies A scene so horrendous you just cant help the tears in your eyes -- The lean and tall farmer looks over his dying herd of cattle And wonders why mother nature can be so bloody cruel I’ve nurtured these cows from birth, they are my pride and joy And to watch this scene of my dying stock… Mate it hurts -- To bloody late to shift this lot off, he says out loud I must end their suffering as quickly as I can He heads to the Toyota to fetch his gun Walks back to the herd with a tear and a heavy heart -- With an anguished look and tears in his eye, he fires his gun As the last one falls he looks on with pain etched on his brow I best bury them deeply before the night falls And heads to the homestead to fetch the machinery -- As he drives he mumbles to himself the bloody politicians don’t care And the city folk, well it’s outa sight outa mind with them They can rest easy in their homes and comfortable beds Whilst I toss and turn with mind racing of how to survive this devastation. -- He returns to the macabre scene of blood, bodies and gore The Kites in their thousands lift off from the bodies of the cattle He digs a large hole and buries them deeply as night falls And hopes that he doesn't have to repeat the process with the stock that’s left. -- The farmer heads home and is greeted by his wife at the door He sobs in her arms and she says… I’m so sorry but it had to be done We will look to the new day and hope the drought breaks Knowing that Mother Nature will always have her way