Gum Tree Swagman Poem by Adryan Barnathan

I went walking to the corner today
Saw a man, by the dawns early day
Dust on his coat. Sun on his face
Looks like a man not from this place

He's an old Swagman just passing by
Leaves a soft whistle that hangs in the sky
Wind through the gum trees where swaggies belong
He's one of the last ones to carry it on

Many a grandfathers long line of men
Lived the life he grew up on
Filling the air with footsteps now gone
Soft echo of men who keep moving on

He's an old Swagman I caught a glimpse of
Kookaburra sings in the gum tree above
Living the life he grew up on
And I got to see him before he was gone