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Best Poems Written by Gerry Dawson

Below are the all-time best Gerry Dawson poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Gerry Dawson Poem

Memories of An Australian Childhood

From England's dark blackout
We came to these shores
I and my siblings
In refuge from war.
How enchanted we were
With all we saw.

First Sydney's fine harbour
And her bridge of one span
Then the azure blue sea
The long beaches of sand
The beautiful city lit up at night
To our youthful eyes a wondrous sight.

The Aussie soldier in his famous slouch hat
The long train journey to the far outback
The Cockies screech the Kookaburra's cackle
New sights and sounds for my brain to tackle.
The grazing sheep the fields of wheat
The fun of the master the blistering heat
The long hot summers with respite at the sea
Where we swam and surfed in unspoilt glee.

School days were spent in city or mountain retreat
Strict was the discipline our uniforms neat.
Happy the friendships spacious the grounds
Nuns telling rosary beads flitting around.
With firmness and patience they taught us well
Recreation was announced by the tolling bell.

Oh the joy when the holidays came
What fun we had on the old school train.
It trundled along past wilga and gum
Past meandering creeks and billabongs
Past Emus grazing and Roos hopping along
Through wide open spaces rich in bird song.

At the graceful homestead with veranda surround
Stood the welcoming grandmother so recently found.
With parents far off she gave care and love
How proud we were of her pioneer blood.
She cooked and scrubbed and chopped the wood
She could do everything she really could.

But tragedy stuck
With her soldier son killed.
She grieved and withered and lost her will.
No longer in her life
Would he take part
Months later she died of a broken heart.

There came a time when with many tears
I bade farewell to this life so dear.
I had no choice I had to go.
The years passed on
I missed it all so.

This time when I came
I touched down by plane.
New visions flood my startled brain
Australia I find is absorbed in change
it makes me feel so very strange.

The laid back Aussie with his old world charm
A computer wiz now and amazingly calm.
The coastline is cluttered highrises abound
The noise of the traffic an ugly sound.
But the song of the Bellbird is still a wonder
It soothes my senses as I ponder.

For no land on earth has so much to offer.
So I’ll settle here I will not hover.
Perhaps the maternal ancestors smile from above.
For at last I'm here In the land they loved.
And I'll spend the twilight of my years
In this country I've always held so dear.

Details | Gerry Dawson Poem

Weep For Me I'M Dying

Of a distant land I ponder.
Of a country torn asunder.
Of Zimbabwe ne'er forgotten -
Where the life has turned so rotten.
Ah it tugs my heartstrings so -
This much loved land so full of woe.

In my dreams I walk in bushland.
Glimpse stealthy leopard stalk at night.
And I see the fertile valleys -
Watch graceful heron soar in flight.
In the twilight, drink the wildlife -
As spellbound, I view the game.
While the crimson golden sunset
fades gently, gently as it wanes.

I tingle in awe and marvel in wonder,
At our Victoria Falls which smoke and thunder.
Down Devil's Cataract they tumble,
Spurting froth and foam as they rumble.
While Rainbow Gorge, in the light of day -
Gleams misty colours, across sky's way.

1 climb the steep Matopos Rock,
Where lizards dart and run amok.
Above a wondrous view Rhodes rests -
Which faces north, south, east and west.
Oh please God let him lie in peace -
Unravaged by man or marauding beast.

At the Zimbabwe Reins of historic fame,
(Built hundreds of years before we came,
By a lost civilization with knowledge and flair
Who left us a heritage, incredibly rare)
I pause to admire their stonework and skill
And to puzzle as to why -
They no longer are here -
Did they sicken and die or flee in fear?

Kariba our lake is a haven of bliss,
Where sportsmen trawl for the tiger fish.
Where the eagles call and the hippos bellow,
And on the shore browse elephants,
Magnificent fellows.
A paradise for man and beast
And at night lions roar to disturb our sleep.
Full of nostalgia I remember it all,
Before life began to crumble and fall.

Oh "Cry my Beloved Country", for the Shangri-la of yore.
For the land of milk and honey,
When there was peace, order and law.
Where lush crops grew on fertile soil,
And the people were happy –
Not greedy for more.
But dark clouds loomed, and then came strife,
And all freedom vanished – overnight.

In pensive mood I gaze in a crystal ball
But it's too late now a despot reigns.
The termites came. They stole our farms.
And theft and brutality caused heartbreak and pain.
So much hope and promise gone.
Instead – hunger and misery – it's all so wrong.

Now our land lies barren and bare.
And many leave to be safe from fear.
They start new lives in distant lands –
But stored in their hearts are memories dear –
And a fierce pride dwells –
In the hearts of all.