The sheds new cat

Tags

cat, cats, dogs, kissing, life, poem, poetry, rain

Pass me my bat
ball and chain
pass me a hat
I’ll take on the rain
raincoats for warmth
just aren’t my style
throw me a kiss
to keep for a while

I walk north, east then west
waving at neighbours
as they carry on in life
feeding those dogs
chicken and geese
or dishing out milk
to the shed’s new cat
who to this fine afternoon
has yet to kill a rat

the homecoming

Tags

age, couples, dogs, horse riding, life, log fires, love, night, Relationships, spring, strength, winter

 

 

I could feel age gripping hold
as the stirrup iron caught my cheek
the ride had made me tired
again my legs felt weak
endeavoring to lighten the mood
I joked aside our fire
before gathering my thoughts again
of us and me then you
perhaps with winter behind us
I could find new life in spring
I wanted so desperately to be well
to find myself once more
yet the dogs in the distance warned me
barking into our night
tomorrow would see me weaker
soon I could no longer fight

Yet your breath was soft
then calm
like a peaceful bird in flight
tranquil now at depth
guiding me toward the light

water upon rust

Tags

country, dogs, life, old man, poem, poetry, rural, storm, willow tree

The dogs didn’t bark much
they knew he was asleep
besides by now
they’d had their keep

As the willow trees bark
crashed downward before the storm
they began to howl
for him to come to the door

Iron against iron
water upon rust
they prayed for him to wake
awake now he must

Yet the old man was tired
his fire had burned out
by now his mind was wandering
slowly round and round

he longed for one more summer
one more year above ground

the front paddock

Tags

dogs, horses, night, poem, poetry, rain, seasons, trees, wind

Frightened trees
spooked the windswept bay horses
in the front paddock
in winter
outside home
iron bark fence posts
wired together tightly
with their water soaked heads
crying for light
or a break from the clouds
or both

Troughs
billowing in the wind
overflowing with rain
water
brushing to the sides
then out onto the grass
with it’s rye and clover
green tinged with grey
branches
lying over to one side
pushing forward then back
splitting
flying
cutting against the bark

Above the wells empty centre
the darkness of night
then the howl of a dog
searching for light
or an intruder to catch
as I struggled to remember
that cold night in September

the high country

Tags

country, dogs, horses, love, men, poem, poetry, Relationships

The men were gaunt
lean in frame
steady
reckless in the extreme

whiskey
cattle dogs
young horses
weathered fence posts
and you

You said you weren’t happy
but you were always there
not once did you waiver
against the night’s cold air

the country was cruel
unkind
unseen
yet you made it real
you made the dream

The stockmen

Tags

aging, boots, dogs, dry gullies, horses, poem, poetry, rural, stirrup irons, stockmen, stream

You said you were tired
that this was your last stand
I was tired too
for us
uphill battles
dry gullies
dead ends
and mountainous terrain
had delivered us here
back into each other

With tired eyes
worn out old boots
dusty stirrup irons
lame horses
sitting above hungry dogs
and our evening stars
praying for tomorrow
for another day of sunlight
with each other

Searching for the strength
to do it all again
evening fast approached
upon the aging stockmen
angular
wiry
then taut
in tune with the grassy flow
Let’s follow the stream up north
I said
to where I do not know

late afternoon

Tags

dogs, dust, farmer, land, love, poem, poetry, restless, rural, smile, stay, tired, touch, tractor, Wife

The light flickered at intervals
toward his searching eyes
eager for more sunlight
dogs anxious to frolic then play
a distant tractor sound
reminding him of his day
diesel dust and dirt
constantly flying his way

Her hand was soft and smooth
inviting to his touch
restless tired and removed
adjusting his seat too much

Till finally he caught a glimpse
of her keen and wanton smile
asking him to give it all up
to stay with her for a while