A Farewell In The Mallee Poem by Rory Hudson

A Farewell In The Mallee

Rating: 5.0


(Mallee is a kind of low scrub that grows in arid areas of Australia, where it stretches for miles and miles. Saltbush is a low greyish bush that is also found covering the plains in the arid zone. A currawong is a bird found in the mallee regions.)

The currawongs screeched in the mallee
as we said our goodbyes at the door,
and I knew, as you kissed my cheek lightly,
that I would not see you any more.

The sun that burns down on the scrubland
bleaches bones of the sheep on the plain;
the crows gouge the eyes of survivors
dying from want of the rain.

The leaves of the endless grey saltbush
are withering fast into dust,
and the hopes that we had for the future
have died, as such hopes always must.

The drought that has blighted the mallee
has blighted our loving as well,
for nothing that’s tender and fragile
can survive in this horrid red hell.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Patrick Ladbrooke 10 October 2011

Great picture of a painful parting which has a definite feel of permenance and location.

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awesome.. you made proper use of this form. awesome

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Chuck Audette 15 June 2009

Wow! What a hellish scene, quite otherworldly! Unlike the scene you paint, your writing is lush with metaphor and has taken root as a memorable piece. -chuck

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Rory Hudson

Rory Hudson

Adelaide, Australia
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