The Prospector

The Prospector: 

He packs his tack in a great canvas sack 
And then drives away in his car.
Nobody cries as they wave their goodbyes; 
They will await his return from afar.
When he reaches the track he will find his way back
With his GPS tuned to a star. 

The stories are told how he travels the road 
With constant anticipation,
He ignores the snakes as he hammers in stakes, 
On the boundary of his location 
This man has gone bush, and he shows no rush 
To return to civilization.

This modern-gold seeker, with a stick and a beeper  
That creates echoes to his ears from the ground.
On his own, he unpacks his gear from his sacks,
He’s left family and friends in the town.
Now the bush replaces their loving embraces
With an encompassing sky and a peaceful surround.

The look on his face shows nary a trace
Of emotion as he unpacks his gear.
He sets up his camp, and primes his lamp, 
Lights fire, and watches a dingo draw near.
Staring into the embers, he starts to remember 
Other campsites like the one he has here.

He wakes in the morning, stretching and yawning
As he extracts his bones from the ground.
His muscles will strengthen as the days lengthen
While he walks the grid; listening to sounds.
Bright are his eyes, as he unearths the prize
His detector, signals it there to be found.

When his eyes behold the nugget of gold
As he digs in the earth for this prize
They sparkle and shine as he takes out his twine,
Knotted, for measurement of size. 
The tail of his shirt removes unwanted dirt
And hessian covers rock from prying eyes

As he looks to the ground; there is more to be found!
Shards that catch the bright setting sun. 
He puts some in a pot, then marks this fine spot,
So he can find it again when he’s done.
For the task of recording his find in the morning,
He must leave; he feels he should run.

From the past he has learned, he knows he’ll return
After the assayer sees what's in his sack.
There is quiet celebration, with this revelation
As he phones his partner to say she should pack.
They both go to sign on the dotted line,
Then together they travel the track back.

Wordancer
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A  Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 8:48 PM
CONGRATULATIONS ELIZA, on having your poem featured on the soups Home Page. Love ~SKAT~
James Avatar
September 8, 2013 at 12:07 AM
wow hi skat-aux, Thank you. This Sunday arfo is proving fruitful. Two messages while I work ! I clicked on your name (sticky-beak as I am) and found you had heaps of people writing to you on your 'wall'. so... I clicked on my name a found I had a wall too! of course mines spotless. When I have finished illustrating this poetry book (for a local lady I could happily come and draw all over my very own wall. Thank you again. Eliza
A   Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Hi J Eliza,, Congratulations on your Featured Poem of the week. Nice seeing your poem on the front page... always~ Linda ...
James Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Hi Linda, you are so kind to leave a comment and I appreciate the contact. I haven't been here for so long and I couldn't 'leave it 'til later to reply. Poets in WA, ACT and SA sent me their verses to publish for them. Your connection broke through the mind-set. Thank you, Eliza
A   Avatar
February 14, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Eliza... a great poem... Have a happy valentine days... ~ :-) Always, * PD
James Avatar
February 15, 2012 at 12:30 AM
Why thank you, Glad you enjoyed the dance, as well. See you on the dance floor, Wordancer
Andresen Avatar
February 14, 2012 at 3:10 AM
A wery good poem. - oxox hugs Anne-Lise
James Avatar
February 15, 2012 at 12:27 AM
G'day again Anne Lise, Thank you the compliment, I am still wandering the shelves of this larder and finder great poetry to keep me occupied. Well done on your progress with writing. Wordancer
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
February 14, 2012 at 1:08 AM
absolutly brilliant, love it, so clever xx
James Avatar
February 15, 2012 at 12:24 AM
Thank you for enjoying the dance in the outback, your words are kind, wordancer
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace