Alternative Education

The headland bush is paradise,
especially through the week,
there's rocks to climb; a couple of caves,
and a shaded running creek.

Ron and I have found secret spots,
where we can hide our fishing poles,
and we don't need no swimming gear,
when we swim in the fishing holes.

There are no roads for cars and such,
just tracks on the forest floors,
so we seek our destinations,
on trails made by wombat paws,

And we're lucky when it's lunchtime,
for we can sit down in some glade,
then feast on oranges and apples,
after sandwiches that Mum made.

We're loving what we're doing here;
our knowledge seems to grow and grow.
We've learnt all about conserving.
We catch a fish and let it go.

We’ve been bit by angry bull-ants,
that gave us pain to send us numb.
We rub the stings with bracken fern,
because we couldn't tell no one.

We know the names of all the birds,
and the plants and pretty flowers,
or where the sun sits in the sky,
at the finish of schooling hours.

For when we're in the headland bush,
we really only break one rule;
we're learning what we want to learn -
we're just not learning in the school.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Schneiter Avatar
April 17, 2021 at 5:29 PM
Lindsay, Nature is, indeed, a great teacher. Your poem is a ringing statement of truth. Hugs, Paul
Laurie Avatar
April 25, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Hello Paul ... how true you are but a great teacher also is; don't get caught when you're wagging school - thanks again Paul - Lindsay
Canerdy Avatar
April 9, 2021 at 7:34 AM
Ah, yes, education by experience. An excellent poem, Lindsay! Janice
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:29 PM
Thank you Janice. I appreciate your comment. Education by experience is certainly worthy - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 12:00 PM
I think if we ever were to have immigrated years ago, it would have been to Australia. The bush life that you enjoy with your family and experience there is so much like South Africa. The bush and learning about it is an experience impossible to explain, there is an inexplicable aura of peace and an absolute feeling of wonder and simplicity of beauty. You always describe it beautifully in your poems. Thank you Lindsay, I have also learnt to love bush live through Elias. Blessings, Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:27 PM
Oh yes Jennifer; once you get away from the coast the landscape appears similar but we don't have any native animals to fear, however, some of the snake species are really dangerous. Thanks for your fine comment once again Jennifer - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 5:45 PM
Sounds like a couple of care free kids alright. Nice one Lindsay. Smacks of Huck Finn. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:16 PM
Hello Judy ... not so carefree if caught, but until then that's what they were - thanks Judy - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 2:10 AM
The outside world is a great teacher, bunked off a few times, felt like a criminal. Lol Tom
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:12 PM
Hello Tom ... yes, it creates a habit of looking over your shoulder, but some of us learn a heck more out of a classroom - thanks Tom - Lindsay
Hamill Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 1:17 AM
Hi Lindsay, a real education in life's adventure.great growing up, loved this. Thank you,simon
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:10 PM
Hello Simon ... yes it certainly great education to understand our surroundings. Thanks for reading and commenting Simon - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 11:57 AM
No need for school anymore as they answers are all on their cellphone, but Mother Nature is a great source for experience! Aloha! Rico
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:06 PM
Hello Rico ... yep, Master Google is the only teacher needed now. Mother Nature teaches us what we can touch and what to avoid at all costs - thanks Rico - Lindsay
Wolf Avatar
March 31, 2021 at 7:48 PM
Sounds a bit like the Aussie version of Tom and Huck! To them, good luck. Wrote something tonight myself a bit like this. I guess 'great minds think alike!' lol. Thanks, Lindsey ~ gw
Laurie Avatar
April 10, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Hello Gershon ... couldn't agree more about great minds. Wagging school always had a thrill to it as long as it was minimal - thanks Gershon - Lindsay
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