Outback Seed

Twisted, gnarled, snapped and broken.
dead limbs belie the tortuous years when thrived.
Eroded landscapes display, layers of eons passed by
where nomadic man’s footsteps, once trod and so survived.

Jewels of desert beauty hang, and use their scent to reach,
through beckoning colour, the nomadic bird and bee who need
to be tantalized to fertilize, so when each flower dries,
a fruit is formed to hide the need for traveling seed.

Late summer breezes dance, across wavering grasses,
far as the eye can see now yellowing straw,
with heads emptying, dispersed by wind, or eaten,
by finches, parrots, doves and more.

Where all around this death before decay,
lie hidden embryos sheltered in a protective case,
defying browsing stock, which trample and churn the soil.
The seed lives waiting, dry and hard in a hiding place.

Shifting, drifting, migrating with the wind,
swirling grains of dust are rife.
Crevices, cracks or any rocky fracture,
fill and cover … to become a grave for dormant life.

'Tis the gentle rain that falls all day,
infiltrating the particles; seeping in between,
changing the land from pink to shades of brown…
In three short days a billion seeds, paint the landscape green.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Delaney Avatar
November 19, 2015 at 1:08 PM
Hi Laurie: Your love of the land shows through your well crafted lines. A wonderful description of nature's powers of renewal. Enjoyed reading this today. Cheers, SuZ
Laurie Avatar
November 21, 2015 at 9:46 PM
Hello Suzanne... thank you once again Suzanne. It was a return trip from Broken Hill to Tibooburra that inspired this poem. We got rained in and on the way home the dust bowl was green again within two days - Lindsay
Babcock Avatar
November 15, 2015 at 11:26 AM
Seeds-- the rebirth in mother natures scheme of things. Lovely poem Lindsay. love phyl
Laurie Avatar
November 21, 2015 at 9:42 PM
Hello Phyllis... in the outback, it is truly remarkable the change after rain. In a very short time dust is replaced with wildflowers - thank you Phyllis - Lindsay
Beaufort Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 8:07 PM
An amazing story of transformation and survival that has developed over time. Only when we understand what it is can we make sure it is protected. We are so very lucky to see these things.
Laurie Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 6:51 PM
Hello Duke... that's true Duke. As harsh and uncompromising as the outback is, it is full of life and beauty but fragile too. Thanks again Duke - Lindsay
Fairbrother Avatar
November 8, 2015 at 3:53 AM
Once again Lindsay your verse tells me you are a man in-tuned with nature and a lover of this earth and mother nature, great and beautiful words, truly gifted, thanks for sharing. cheers Kev
Laurie Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 6:45 PM
G'day Kevin... I dare say that you would have witnessed and therefore be able to relate to many lines in this poem as you travel through the inland. I always marvelled at the contrast even after a little rain - thanks again Kevin - Lindsay
Duggan Avatar
November 6, 2015 at 7:57 PM
Oh I agree with Robert, this is a master piece Lindsay, you would not believe the pictures that came to mind as I read that, wonderful is all I can possibly say, take care..........Vera
Laurie Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 6:41 PM
Hello Vera... thanks for your comment Vera. It's almost like a miracle how rain changes the outback from dust to a sea of wildflowers almost overnight. Catch you soon Vera - Lindsay
Woods    Avatar
November 4, 2015 at 1:29 AM
I would love to see that, it must be an incredible transformation. You have portrayed the desolation before the rain so well. Another great write.
Laurie Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Hello Mark... I witnessed this first up on a trip between Broken Hill and Tibooburra. On the way up it was a moonscape. We got rained in for three days and on the way back everywhere I looked was green, but that's the outback - Lindsay
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