Scavengers of Lake Tyers

A phone call was all that’s needed and the message it was clear;
“Get your bum away from home and bring your family here.
And don’t forget your fishing rods; the bream are on the bite.
I know you’re off this weekend so be here tomorrow night”.

All we had to do was turn up so the weekend’s organized.
Us men will fish on Saturday while the women get familiarized.
Sunday’s to be at Lake Tyers; we’re fishing in the ‘Trident Arm’,
and everything had gone to plan - fish were biting like a charm -

- When there isn’t any toilets one must find a comfort tree.
And it’s much harder for a lady; Cheryl was first to see
the dangers of the bush when the call of nature’s needed.
But she found a way to hold on when her need was superseded.

For where our cars were parked many more had parked before
and fed the wild goannas, and so now they’re wild no more.
Then Cheryl ‘came the lucky one to discover in her need,
three hungry tame goannas met her in a gauntlet wanting feed.

When time was ready for departure, the rest of us got to see,
the goannas who were still about and waiting patiently.
But they didn’t care for sausages no matter how we tried to goad.
One preferred the rubbish bin; the others strolled off up the road.

On our way home with our catch, of snapper, flatties and some bream,
we stopped at Burnt Bridge where others fished, but their catches here were slim,
I waited in my car that was parked close to where undergrowth was dense,
and watched some movement in bauri; for a time it seemed no sense.

Then six foot of reptile slid with ease and hid underneath my car.
I looked downward out my window then its head stuck out so far.
This goanna waddled to the road and crossed the bridge without a care.
Cars had to wait on either side, and it bothered no one there.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Legros Kelley Avatar
June 12, 2021 at 2:17 AM
We have lizards where we live (small ones!), I have always thought they were cute....but after googling 'wild goannas' I am so very happy to announce that I have never seen any of those in our backyard!
Laurie Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 11:33 PM
Hello BJ ... when in the bush, a goanna runs like the wind if you surprise it, but in camping areas they'll scavenge at every opportunity. We too have many different lizards but none are classed as dangerous - thank you BJ - Lindsay
Edmonds  Avatar
June 9, 2021 at 7:52 AM
Hi Lindsay, it’s good that the goannas are no longer wild but mild and meek, when they’re looking for food one can turn the other cheek. An enjoyable read… Belle
Laurie Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 11:29 PM
Hello Belle ... any goanna that lives close to a settlement will soon be used to humans as they are scavengers with a great sense of smell - thank you Belle - Lindsay
Buehler Avatar
June 8, 2021 at 5:10 PM
A fun and interesting description of a trip full of action, sights and sounds. Very enjoyable ballad, Lindsay. :D Evelyn
Laurie Avatar
June 20, 2021 at 11:26 PM
Hello Evelyn ... thanks for reading and putting up a comment. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it - Lindsay
Hinshaw Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 10:21 AM
Your wonderful ballads in poetic form are very special, Lindsay, and this one is great! Glad you enjoyed My Monarch Butterfly. They are fascinating creatures and travel thousands of miles in their migrations. Take good care, Mate!
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Hello Bob ... I'm pleased you enjoyed this little adventure. They were very tame goannas at this site. As you know, I enjoy all your work, so look forward to each posting - thank you Bob - Lindsay
Sands Avatar
June 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM
I enjoyed this fun and funny story and learned what a Goanna is . Wow, what a trip! Thanks for sharing :)
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 8:58 PM
Hello Heidi ... you never know what surprise will confront you in the bush. Wild goannas are very shy and climb trees to avoid humans. On one occasion when fishing, one was in my carry bag after my fishing bait - thank you Heidi - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Loved this Lindsay. I actually have no problem with big lizards. I'm just not real fond of snakes. I do know more than one lady though who do not share my love of animals. Loved this homey story. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 8:53 PM
Hello Judy ... as scavengers, they were nearly wiped out from eating vermin killed by poisonous baits. The baits are illegal now and goannas are once again quite common in the bush. Their size intimidate most people - thank you Judy - Lindsay
Wolf Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 5:10 PM
What do you call the female of the goanna species, Lindsay? -- Joanna?! lol. Thanks, gw
Babcock Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 1:39 PM
Will have to google this animal or lizard as never heard of it before. Not a good place to try and find a loo. lol love phyl
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 8:44 PM
Hello Phyllis ... no, it's not. It's what you call the wilderness but these goannas were used to being fed by campers. Still, we were not to know that at first - thanks Phyllis - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
May 29, 2021 at 12:45 PM
Now Cheryl can monitor her position more carefully? Aloha! Rico
Merryman Avatar
May 29, 2021 at 6:19 AM
An entertaining story, Lindsay! Blessings, Kim M
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 8:36 PM
Hello Kim ... thank you Kim. Thanks for commenting and I'm pleased you found it entertaining Kim - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
May 29, 2021 at 2:16 AM
Lol, had to google goanna, now I know. Tom
Laurie Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 8:35 PM
Hello Tom ... a lizard up to eight feet long and can smell your bbq cooking from miles away. They climb trees and raid chook houses - thank you Tom - Lindsay
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