Ghost Gum Poem by keith brown

Ghost gums

I was walking Down an out back track
It was getting pretty late
When I saw an old cocky, leaning on an old worn out farm gate
I called "how ya going mate, you all right
I could hardly see his face in the gathering twilight

But
he gave me a nod and said" I guess that we'll get bye "

We've got no crops in the field
And the Creeks have all run dry
Been Praying for rain
From a clear blue outback sky
There ain't no sign of rain yet
But I guess they we'll get bye



There's dust in kitchen, dust on the lawn
Even the cacti look sad and some what forlorn
It's seems like forever since we heard a bird song
This drought is just so bitter and it's been here far too long

We wait on the rain that surely soon must fall
When, the wet season comes and creeks are running full

Why can't we have rain like theythey get back in the east
Out here in the west it's either famine or bloodyfeast

It's a life style thing, Akubra and jeans
Old trucks and tractors not bright lights and limousine


And When the rain does come, it's not all instantly fine
To fatten lambs and cattle, well it really does take time
Still I wouldn't, couldn't change I've been here far too long
Along with the drought, the bush, the soil and evening bird song

You can feel me and touch me down any old bush track
I'm the soul and the spirit of the great Australian outback

Now I thought that was a strange thing for him to say and
As the sun went down for a moment I turned away
That's the last I said we'll see of today's sun, and
when I turned around well the old cocky he was gone

I was standing there alone beside the worn out gate,where the cocky told his tale
When I noticed an old sign tied to its top rail
The old sign was faded and in a pretty rough old statebut I could clear read the words
For sale deceased estate