Poetry prize

G'day Again

I'm very excited to let you know that two of the poems in my book, Wattle 'n' Wanderings, have won places in the 2011 Shoalhaven Timber Festival Bush Poetry Competition.

'Memories of Maurie' was placed 5th in the written section of this prestigious Bush Poetry competition, which received entries from all over Australia. 

Memories of Maurie (extract)

His eyes were red and rheumy and his hair was white as snow
when we sat beneath his mango tree and talked of long ago
His father was a young man when he first walked upon this land
he claimed it and he worked it, built a cottage that still stands

He felled the massive timber that grew thick and straight and tall
this built the little township that even now is still quite small
his father walked upon these hillsides, knew the animals and birds
saw much that was amazing and was often struck for words

 

'The Spirit of The Timber' won 3rd prize. This poem is about the early settlers and timber workers whose work opened up many parts of country Australia - even though The Spirit of The Timber is written specifically about the river red gum bush and its local timber industries. 

The Spirit of the Timber (extract)

They had the strength to leave the goldfields and cross the northern plains
Vision to leave the cities with their bustling, loud refrains
The Timber Spirit called them, she sang them to her side
and answering her call they traversed this country wide

The Timber Spirit knew them, these men who’d take her wood
she knew that she could teach them how to use it for the good
through her this land would open and new communities begin
the Timber Spirit trusted that their hearts she’d truly win

They came in gentle stages, spreading out across her land
and the Timber Spirit took her time to grow the timber man
she taught the true dependence of all that lives within the bush
he learnt to take the time to watch and not to shove and push

He learnt about the creatures, the habitat they need
“Love the bush, protect it!” became the timber cutter’s creed
and up and down the Murray where the mighty red gums grow
timber men came to understand the seasons’ ebb and flow

I hope you've enjoyed reading the extracts of both pieces. I do welcome your feedback so please do leave your comments.

Cheerio for now

Nerelie