The Ringtail Possum Poem by Francis Duggan

The sun goes down beyond the western hill
And darkness comes in with the evening chill
And all day creatures gone to roost and rest
And ringtail possum leaves her leafy nest.

She slowly walks along the woodland track
Her tiny offspring clinging to her back
She knows the woodland down to the last rood
And she knows the best trees for the best food.

She choose young trees where leaves are young and sweet
And only the most tender she will eat
How to survive her mother taught her so
And now she teach her offspring all she know.

She build her leafy nest on branch of tree
Well hidden where no predator can see
The wedge tail eagle o'er the woodland fly
But possum's nest escapes his piercing eye.

When all day creatures gone to roost and rest
The ringtail possum leaves her leafy nest
And slowly walks along the woodland track
Her tiny offspring clinging to her back.