across This Ancient Land. Poem by Geoffrey Fafard

I am leaving the coast to plunge
into the heart of Oz
Way way away from my tropic shelter
Into the desert of the dreamtime
Where 100 year old whispers
Still float on hot winds
2700 kilometres one way
Out onto the Territory Plains
And through the winding watercourses
Just me and my old dog
My old mate she waits out there
In that story country
Needing some company
and bringing back east, her duty done
Four days driving me and the hound
We will pull up and bed down
On the bends of the rivers
And hum tunes to the sunset
Four days of travel
Quiet contemplation of
The month to come after
Chasing Barramundi, yabbies,
The odd croc
And the whispering Melaleucas
I am older now so the going is slower
But I am organised and ready for
Another adventure
I am looking forward to leaving
The coast behind
And all the desert faces
With their unstoppable smiles
Are calling
And even a month
Is a few days too short.