Kangaroos bounce lower
for tis the season
some roo laze on their backs
smoke electric cigarettes
Green moments
are discovered in Antarctica
Give your thanks America
give us your huddled elves
your heaving tinsel mountains
sprinkle all our glary nights
Wild-eyed are the rug-rats
they expect a baby-born
one bearing gifts from Toyland
alas alack the three wise guys
took a wrong left in the sand
and found themselves Outback
they waltz now around the billabongs
seeking the vapor trails of large marsupials
and they, the Aussie big boppers
the hoppers, are just chilling
unwilling to face more festive day's
nor shovel up or scoop
yet more reindeer poop
Categories:
billabongs, poetry,
Form: Free verse
Bunyip
Early settlers heard its screams
Lurking in billabongs, creeks and streams
A myth or real that question remains
Indigenous folklore further explains
Perhaps a cultural memory of an animal extinct
Though the image of the Bunyip for them is distinct
Bones and skulls have been found over the years
Attributed to the Bunyip, adding to their fears
The tales of the creature weave a story so seeming
Its belief and existence a feature of The Dreaming
Categories:
billabongs, dream, myth,
Form: Rhyme
By the Murray
is far from
By the lake
The Murray
has its own sound
as it meanders
across gravel runs
billabongs
bends galore
tonight will be cold
so the fire is prepped
7 sheets of crumpled
newspaper, splinters of pine
dry eucalyptus leaves
twigs and small branched
neatly piled
the cod are rising
at dusk
gently taking insects
from the surface
By the lake
would be
no sound
at all
Categories:
billabongs, culture,
Form: Free verse
I am dreaming of you tonight,
though we may never meet
but if we do, you will know me
by my hyacinth shoes.
You will remember me in the pale blooms
that float on
billabongs or ponds
I will take you along dusty streets
an outback town, where currawongs
call at dusk from scraggly gums,
branches rocking in the wind
I will whisper secrets
of morning glory vines along a back fence-
of the surprise that Spring's
first snowdrop brings
it’s green petals
dotted and lined with delicate green.
Your sorrow will never be the color of them
your joy only as high
as the elation they bring
I will teach you to sing by slow caresses,
my hair on your skin
to dance with soft words that waltz
over a carpets of leaves
No-one will know the small cues - each tiny gesture
that will guide us
into life’s un-knowable purpose.
Suzanne Delaney
Categories:
billabongs, dream, fantasy, hope, imagery,
Form: Free verse
Blinky Bill, and the wonder of all fairy tales
Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie and Hump Back Whales
Vegemite, ice cream, and violent crumble bars
Waltzing Matilda and The Southern Cross stars
The outback, the cities and a Coolabah tree
Golden sand, Billabongs, Damper and Billy Tea
Meeting singer John Farnham and saying G’day
All very special in their unique Aussie way
The flowers of Australia just blooming for you
The funny centipede with all his little legs
Christmas trees, Santa, and lots of Easter Eggs
A Butterfly, a rainbow, your parents tender love
Kookaburras, and sunshine and heaven above
Twinkling stars, laughter, your favourite toy
No matter how fleeting they’re yours to enjoy
Funny clowns, Birthdays, and big aeroplanes
Taking you places with magical names
Your playmates, family and favourite teddy bear
Are there to love you and your world to share
So smile dear Becky we love you too
May you treasure every day that life smiles on you.
Be at peace dear Becky, we will always remember you
And how in a plane I once with you flew!
To all the little children with Progeria disease
Let us find cure, until then, a wondrous life please!
Categories:
billabongs, children, hope, easter, life,
Form: Rhyme