Gone Bush Poem by Ally Barnett

Gone Bush



While talking to a Sheila in the local bushman’s pub
I told her of my tale about this place out the scrub
Where a big black snake near bit me, it was huge I take an oath!
It came up to my campfire from within the under growth.
The night was cold and stormy, you could hear the trees go crack!
But earlier this morning it was blazing on my back.
Yeah that’s our country’s weather, can go from black to blue
And when you’re in the bush there's really zilch that you can do.
Don’t get me wrong I love the bush, its rivers and hollow logs,
And near the empty campsites you can spot the Dingo dogs.
My heart belongs in bushland, fair dinkum this is true
My life is in Australia where I tell my plight to you…

Sitting by my campfire beside a big gum tree,
Munching on some damper, and my favourite billy tea.
The place is really tranquil, not a bit of life in sight
Then suddenly I spotted this wild cocky full in flight.
I scrambled really quickly so I could watch it fly
My hat caught in the bushes and the cork flicked in my eye.
I cursed 'by jeez is this the place I really wanna be? '
But suddenly it’s all quite clear as I spot a wallaby!
He hopped right up to greet me and I trembled with delight
For nowhere else in this whole world you’d capture such a sight
'G`day Mate' I uttered, as I shook his little paw
Those big brown eyes were beaming as he looked at me unsure.

Well back to my ole` campfire as it’s getting pretty late
Waving to my little pal while saying “See Ya Mate”
Now here I am back at my camp the river’s flowing fast
I grab my rod and fishing line in the water there I cast.
With line down in the river and a trout beneath the hook
I think about my school days and the tale of Captain Cook.
The fish were just not biting, much to my dismay
So I scrambled up and grabbed my pot the one I use for cray.
“This will get me tucker” I uttered to myself
The land out here is void of any supermarket shelf
Time is ticking over, Ill give it one more shot
Then reach into the river and pull out my trusty pot.
I yelled out 'Oii you beauty! ' for yabbies I could see
Yeah here in Land Downunder there’s Yabbies for me tea!

Now I’m feeling better, a meal I caught at last
I’m feeling quite contented as this Platypus swims past.
The wonders of this bushland, hot spells and thundering rain
Australia in its splendour, the place I will remain.

Boiling up the yabbies as the day turns into night
Mozzies buzzing in my ears this dingo gives me fright
'Off ya go! ' I scalded as it ran between the trees,
I hear a Kooky laughing as the cheeky dingo flees.
So if you ever come here just take a look around
You may just spot an Emu or a Wombat on the ground.
Maybe Kookaburra’s flying swiftly in the breeze
Or maybe some Koala's up the Eucalyptus trees.
So now you know my story I'm Aussie through and through!
In the land one calls Down Under and I tell ya I’m True Blue.

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