Old Charlie

OLD CHARLIE Old Charlie he’s a Cockie from a bygone age, has not departed from his old-time ways, and his way of doing things, tonight, with the billy on the boil, and by the campfire bright; with last log from the heap as flickers dance their last request, Old Charlie’s in his swag and Bluey’s at his feet, ‘tis dead of night, for Old Charlie’s called it a day and now listening to dingo on the howl, Old Charlie has seen remains of the dingo’s prowl, bones, guts, and carcass spent around, which has made Old Charlie shudder about the cruelty of a dingo’s way, when they track and hurt the last of Old Charlie’s herd, adding to the effects of what the drought has bought, but for tonight Old Charlie’s on a mission, on a camp out from the farm, and before the break of day and before first light will influence, Old Charlie will give Bluey a gentle nudge, packing up his swag and rifle ever carefully, and on his way needing to be somewhere else further beyond his camp site, and in first light of morn, someplace up on ridge, Old Charlie sees what he has come here for, and with careful sight, a bang shatters quiet, and in a moments pause a dingo’s pelt is hanging on fence, as Old Charlie and Bluey are heading home knowing full well that bastard isn’t coming back. Francis Cooper - Mac © February 2019