Poems by B W HALL
MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN
EARLY LIGHT WITHIN THE DAWN THE MIST IT DOES LAY LOW
MAKING SILHOUETTES OF TREES INTO A GHOSTLY GLOW
ON A COLD AND MISTY MORN THEY’RE BUT STOOD A SINGLE ROO
AS YELLOW CRESTED COCKATOOS FLY TO SKIES OF BLUE
ECHO'S OF TIMBER BEING SPLIT DO TRAVEL UPON THE BREEZE
BRUMBY'S MOVE ALONG THE RIDGE RACING ALL ABOUT THE TREES
SOUNDS OF HOOVES STRIKING STONE UPON THE RIDGES SPINE
THUNDERING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FORGED TO FORM A RAGGED LINE
THE AIR IS SPLIT WITH THE CRACK OF WHIPS AS IF OF RIFLE FIRE
FOR IN MY BARK HUT IS WHERE I LIVE AS IT BE OF MY DESIRE
BILLY SITS WITH LID REMOVED ON COALS THAT BURN SO BRIGHT
CURTAINS MADE FROM HESSIAN BAGS STRUNG UP TO SHADE THE LIGHT
STRINGY BARK TURNED INTO RAFTERS HOLD UP THE ROOF OF TIN
WALLS BE BUILT FROM RED GUM TREES WITH SLATES THEY BE SO THIN
MORNING LIGHT IT BE SO BRIGHT DOES SNEAK BENEATH THE DOOR
GOLDEN LIGHT OF DAYS NEW DAWN DOES CREEP ACROSS THE FLOOR
DANCING SMOKE WITHIN THE LIGHT IT GLIDES AROUND THE ROOM
FRAGRANT SCENT OF THE NATIVE FLORA GHOST GUMS FULL OF BLOOM
HUNTSMAN SPIDER REST ON LOG FEELING WARMTH BENEATH THE SUN
DEW DROP FALLS ON WINDOW PANE FOR DOWN GLASS IT RUN
CURRAWONGS SOUND GREET THE DAY AS TO LEAVE ITS MORNING CALL
MOUNTAIN ASH WITH FLOWERS WHITE DO STAND WITH TREES SO TALL
MUSK BUSH DAISY WITH BLANKET LEAF AND TREE FERNS GATHER ROUND
SILVER WATTLE GOLD IN FLOWER BELOW THE ASH BE FOUND
MUSIC PLAYS WITHIN THE MOUNTAIN AS WIND FLOWS THROUGH THE TREES
SWEET AND SILENT SOUNDS OF NATURE DOES FLOAT WITHIN THE BREEZE
SOUNDS OF AUSTRALIAN MANY NATIVE BIRDS AND LIFE UPON THE GROUND
TUNES FOR ALL LIFE’S COMPOSERS TO BRING LIFE TO A BRIGHT NEW SOUND
OCTAVES THAT ARE ONLY HEARD IN GREAT OPERA’S ACROSS OUR LAND
SOUNDS THAT BRING LOVE TO ALL AUSTRALIAN’S AND LIFE TO MANY MAN
OUR LANDS GREAT PEOPLE DID BUT HEAR OF SOUNDS IN DREAMING TIME’S
RAINBOW SNAKE IN ALL Its COLOURS TELLS TALES WITHIN ITS RHYME’S
RIPPLE’S THEY CIRCLE ACROSS A POND AS IN A TUNING FORKS FINE TUNE
HEART AND SOUL OF THIS GREAT LAND DOSE’S BEAT BENEATH OUR MOON
WHISPERS OF SILENCE FOR ALL TO HEAR ASCENDS TO CLOUDS ABOVE
IN THE MORNING LIGHT SOUNDS OF LIFE ARE FULL OF LIFE’S SWEET LOVE
TO SIT SO STILL IN SILENCE AND HEAR NATURE’S LIFE THAT ALL AROUND
AUSTRALIA’S SOFT AND SWEET SOUNDS OF LIFE AS ITS BEAUTY IS ABOUND
THE MAJESTIC MUSIC OF A LYREBIRD WITH ITS SOUNDS OF MANY ARRAY
NIGHTS ARE STILL WITH SILENCE AS NATURE REST HER WEARY WAY
SILVER ASH WITH MOUNTAIN FERNS TWISTED BRANCHES MAKE UP A BED
SOFT AND SILKY MOSS ON ROCKS COLORED BLUEY GREEN WITH RED
ASK YOUR SELF EACH AND ALL OF US IS THERE REALLY A GOD ABOVE
IF THERE NOT A GOD IN HEAVEN THEN WHO MADE THIS LAND WE LOVE
B W HALL 2008
THIS LAND I LOVE
WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WERE GOING WE ONLY KNOW WHERE WE; VE BEEN
FROM TIME ON EARTH WHEN WE WHERE BORN TO ALL THE THINGS BETWEEN
TO STOP AND THINK OF ALL THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE MET ALONG THE WAY
FOR ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE AND TO ALL THE THINGS WE'D SAY
TO HAVE A FRIEND LIKE YOU WHO CARES AND UNDERSTANDS
ONE THAT STOPS AND LISTENS OF MY TALES ACROSS THESE LANDS
FROM WAY UP NORTH TO QUEENS LAND I GO DROVING WITH THE MOB
AS TO STAY FOR MONTHS BEHIND THE RANGES IN DUST IT BE MY JOB
TO HEAD OUT WEST WITHIN THE HEAT AS ITS SHEEP THAT I DO SHEAR
FOR TO END A DAY WITH SHEARER'S MATES TO STOP AND DOWN A BEER
OR TELL A TALE OF THE MANY A FRIEND IVE MADE ACROSS THIS LAND
SWAGGY WALTZING ALONG A ROAD OR A BUSHRANGER WHO MADE A STAND
PICTURE SHOW MAN WHO SHOWS HIS FILMS TO TOWNS ALONG HIS WAY
STATION HAND AND SHEARER'S COOK WHOM WORK HARD FROM DAY TO DAY
OUTBACK DRIFTER WITH CATTLE DOG HE DOES WALK OUR WINDING ROAD
BULLOCK TEAM IN THE MORNING MIST WITH RAIN ON HEAVY LOAD
TEAMSTER CRACKS HIS WHIP AS TO MAKE HIS BULLOCKS STRAIN
DROVER WITH HORSE SMEAR IN MUD DO TRAVEL WITHIN THE RAIN
BALES OF WOOL STACKED SO HIGH TO RUSTLE BLUE GUMS LEAVES
SULPHUR CRESTED COCKATOO’S SET FLIGHT WITH IN THE BREEZE
CREEKS THEY FLOW OVER RUGGED ROCKS BY SHADE OF WILLOW TREES
FLOWERS BLOOM WITH MANY A COLOUR THEIR JOINED BY NATIVE BEES
RICHES THEY ARE SPREAD ACROSS OUR LAND WITH WONDERS EVERYWHERE
AS TO LIVE THIS LIFE THAT I DO LIVE IS TO LIVE LIFE WITHOUT MUCH CARE
THE DAY WILL COME WHEN I AM SENT TO THAT GREAT STATION IN THE SKY
ALONG THE ROAD A DRIFTER WILL SAY FOR THEY NEW THIS WONDERFUL GUY
IF ITS YOU OR ME THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THEN WE KNOW THEY DID BUT CARE
WHEN I AM DEAD AND BURIED FOR IT’S THOSE MEMORIES THEY DO BUT SHARE
I WILL THANK THE MAKER WHO MADE THIS LAND AND GIVE THE MAKER A CHEER
FOR ME AND MAKER WILL TALK FOR HOURS AND I’LL SHOUT OUR MAKER A BEER
B W HALL 2008
JUST A PICTURE
PICTURE HANGS ON WALL IN ROOM
DARK IN LIGHT SHADES OF GLOOM
FLACKY PAINT OF DAYS GONE BY
DUST ON TOP STILL AND DRY
PHOTO FADED CRACKS SO FINE
AGED MEMORIES ONCE DEVINE
TIMBERS SPLIT IN SHEARER'S SHED
NAILS IN POSTS RUST ON HEAD
LIGHT FROM WINDOW CORNER BRIGHT
DARKNESS HIDES IN BLACK OF NIGHT
FLOOR OF WOOL FLEECE OF SHEEP
SHEAR TODAY NIGHT FOR SLEEP
SCENT OF OIL SOAKED IN FLOOR
COAT OF MATE HANGS ON DOOR
BOTTLE CAP ON VERANDAH LAY
WORK SO HARD DRINK ALL DAY
TOBACKY POUCH IN WAIT ON RAIL
BILLY TIN LAY ON EMBERS PALE
SHEARER, COOK, AND SHEARER'S MATE
B W HALL 2008
CLOWN
T
O SAVE A PENNY OUR PULL A RED POUNDFOR LAUGH IF YOU MUST IM ONLY A CLOWN
YOU SEE ME THIS WAY I KNOW IT IS JUST
AS TO MAKE ME A QUID I KNOW IT I MUST
JUDGE ME THIS WAY ALL COLORED IN PAINT
KNOW WHO I AM SO SMALL AND SO QUAINT
FAMILY BE FOUR TWO CHILDREN SO SWEET
WIFE AT THE DOOR CLOWN SHE DOES GREET
THE TEAR ON MY CHEEK IS PAINTED TO WEEP
I TAKE OFF MY MAKEUP OUR LOVE IS SO DEEP
BE PROUD WHO YOU ARE AS LIFE IS BUT TIME
CLOWN YOU DO PLAY DEAR HUSBAND OF MINE
B W HALL 2008
BOOTS OF PAIN
DON’T ASK ME WHO I AM IT’S A TALE TO HARD TO TELL
FOR IF YOU ASK ME WHO I AM I’LL DESCRIBE THIS LIFE OF HELL
BEING BORN OF PARENT POOR WITH FOOD SO HARD TO FIND
HUT THEY BUILT OF TIMBERS FOUND WITH LOVE UPON THEIR MIND
CRADLE WEAVED IN BRANCH OF WILLOW ALL STAINED IN SHADES OF GREEN
SMELL OF SMOKE, WHICH FILLS OUR HUT, AS GHOSTLY SHAPES BE SCENE
DANCING GHOSTS THEY FILL THIS HUT TO LEAVE A STRANGE BELIEF
NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY WANT FROM ME DOES FILL MY LIFE WITH GRIEF
IRON DRAGON WITH LEGS OF FOUR AS FLAMES IT BREATHES OF GOLD
EVERY NIGHT THIS DRAGONS FIRE DOES WARM THIS HUT SO COLD
BROTHERS FIVE ALL SHARE A ROOM WITH BEDS THERE BE BUT TWO
CURTIN MADE FROM HEASEN BAGS DO COVER THESE WINDOWS FEW
MORNINGS MIST DOES SHROUD THE LAND WITH SHADOWS OF CATTLE FAR
THE BREAK OF DAWN WITHIN THE MIST DOES FADE A LONELY STAR
A RAY OF LIGHT DOES PEARCE THE TIMBERS TO POINT UPON THE FLOOR
IT POINTS TO WHERE MY BOOTS DO LIE JUST BESIDE THE DOOR
AS I PLACE MY FEET INSIDE THESE BOOTS I CAN FEEL MY FATHER PAIN
A PAIN WHICH TRAVELS UP MY SPINE AND ACHES WITHIN MY BRAIN
BOOTS, OF WHICH I WEAR IN PRIDE FOR THEY WHERE MY DADS IN WAR
MANY TALES THESE BOOTS CAN TELL AND FOR ALL THE THING THEY SAW
THE PICTURE FLASHES SCENES OF WAR AS MANY MEN LAY ALL ABOUT
FIELDS BE STAINED OF BLOOD IN SOIL FOR IN PAIN THEY DO BUT SHOUT
SCREAMS OF FEAR ARE ALL I HEAR AS THEIR ORDERS CAME DOWN THE WIRE
PHOTO’S SOAKED WITH TEARS OF BLOOD BENEATH SOUNDS OF RIFLE FIRE
THEY PREY O LORD PLEASE TAKE US HOME TO OUR FAMILY’S WE LEFT BEHIND
MEMORIES OF OUR CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WHERE ALWAYS ON THEIR MIND
THEIR FEAR LIVES INSIDE THESE BOOTS NOW I PLACE THOSE BOOTS IN LINE
THEY SAY IT’S WAS THE WAR TO END ALL WARS TILL MY WAR IN THIRTY NINE
B W HALL 2008
BESTEST MATE
FROM STRINGY BARK TO MULGA, BLUE AND RED GUM TREE’S
I DO WALK ACROSS THIS LAND WHERE EVER I DO PLEASE
I STOP AND STAY WERE I DO WANT UP AND DOWN THE TRACK
WITH MY BEST FRIEND I TRAVEL A SWAG UPON MY BACK
SLEEP BESIDE A DRIED UP CREEK OR ALONG A DUSTY ROAD
CAMP BENEATH THE SOUTHERN SKY’S OR IN A NEAT ABOARD
IF MONEY IS A NEED OR WANT THEN I WANT NO NEED OF IT
FOR MY RICHES I DO CARRY WITH IN MY HEART THEY DO SIT
IF MEMOIRS ARE A PICTURE I’LL FILE THOSE DREAMS AWAY
FOR ME AND JESS DO WALK SOME MILES IN JUST ONE DAY
CAUSE JESSIE IS MY GIRL A TRUE MATE IS WHAT SHE BE
THE GREATEST DOG IN THE WORLD THE BESTEST MATE TO ME
He’ll come to you
We wait for the doctor then he waits on you
For you are the patient and he’s patient too
He’ll listen to your aches and pains
He’ll come to you even when it rains
Delivers the young and cares for old
You take the medicine as you are told
He works all hours to fit you in
so remember the words of friend and kin
A day of rest and into bed
Is doing what the doctor said
So when you feel better you can tell
How the doctor made you well
B W Hall 2008
THE THONG
AS I TURNED MY HEAD DID A DOUBLE TAKE JUST TO BE SO SURE
MY EYES THEY FLEW WIDE OPEN AND MY JAW DROPPED TO THE FLOOR
FOR IN THE DOORWAY STOOD MY MISSES WEARING A BRIGHT PINK THONG
I SAID WERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING WITH THAT BLOODY THING ON
OUT TO DO SOME GARDENING CAME HER QUICK REPLY
GO AND PUT THE OTHER THONG ON FOR THE LAWN IS FULL OF BINDI
B W HALL 2008
FRIDAY NIGHT RACES
MY BROTHER AND I HAD THIS GAME WHEN WE WERE VERY SMALL
WE PLAYED IT WITH OUR DAD FOR HE WAS BIG AND TALL
FRIDAY NIGHT WAS OUR BESTEST NIGHT CAUSE HE NEVER WORKED TO LATE
ME AND MY BROTHER HAD OUR TEA THEN RUSH DOWN TO THE GATE
FOR DOWN THE ROAD HIS CAP WOULD PEAK JUST ABOVE THE RISE
THEN ME AND JACK WOULD RUSH INSIDE TO WAIT FOR OUR SUPRISE
SEE FRIDAY NIGHT WAS RACING NIGHT WHEN WE WOULD BOTH COMPETE
WITH CUSHIONS TURNED INSIDE OUT TO MAKE A RACING SEAT
DADS OLD CAP ON BACKWARDS ON OUR HEAD THEY SIT
WE’D SLIP INTO OUR RACING BOOT THAT WERE GUM BOOT WITH A SLIT
PAJAMAS CORDS TO MAKE THE RAINS THEN WE’D TIE THEN TO HIS FEET
OUR SILKS WERE MUMS OLD BLOUSES WHICH ONCE WERE VERY NEAT
AS DAD CAME IN WE’D SIT HIM DOWN THEN HE’D PLACE US ON HIS KNEES
MUM WOULD BE THE STARTING JUDGE TAKE YOUR POSITIONS PLEASE
MUM WOULD TAKE THE REMOTE CONTROL AND TURN ON THE VCR
A TAPING OF THE MELBOURNE CUP FOR WHO WILL RIDE THAT FAR
I LOOKED IN TO THE RIDER EYES JUST THEN THE BELL DID RING
WHO WOULD LAST THIS DISTANCE AND BRING THERE CHAMPION IN
THERE OFF THE STARTER CALLED AS DADS KNEES MOVED UP AND DOWN
AS WE CAME OUT OF THE BARRIER HIS SHOES DID MAKE A SOUND
AS WE JOSTLED FOR POSITION FOR ALONG THE RAILS WE’D RIDE
WITH DADS KNEES MOVING FASTER TO QUICKEN UP OUR STRIDE
THE CAP ON JACKIE'S HEAD WAS MOVING WITH THE SWAY
DOWN THE STRAIGHT WE RODE FOR NECK AND NECK WE’D STAY
PAST THAT WINNING POST WITH ONE MORE LAP TO RACE
DADS KNEES MOVING FASTER THEN HE’D SET US AT FULL PACE
AROUND THE TURN WE ‘D RUN WITH ME A NECK IN FRONT
IT WAS THEN DADS BROUGHT HIS KNEE’S TOGETHER AND GAVE US BOTH A SHUNT
WE RODE UP THE BACK STRAIGHT SO I PULLED UP ON THE RAINS
TO GIVE MY HORSE A BREATHER TO MOVE WITHIN THE LANES
ONE BESIDE AND ONE A BACK THAT’S THE PLACE A JOCKEY BE
TURNING LEFT INTO THE STRAIGHT THE CROWD IS ALL WE’D SEE
AS I HELD THOSE RAINS AND I REACHED BACK FOR MY WHIP
WITH THE WIPE WITHIN MY HAND I STRUCK MY FATHERS HIP
WITH MY HEAD DOWN LOW I LET LOSE THE RAINS TO LET MY HORSE SPEED UP
AND I KNEW THE RACE WAS MINE FOR AT LAST I’D HOLD THAT CUP
WITH ONLY METERS TO GO YOUNG JACKIE WAS AT MY SIDE
AS WE HIT THE LINE THE FLASH WENT OFF NOW MUM WILL HAVE TO DECIDE
AS OUR HORSES PULLED UP AND SLOWING DOWN I FELT SURE THAT I HAD WON
THEN JACKIE RAISED HIS WHIP IN THE AIR AND POINTED TO NUMBER ONE
WITH OUR HORSES WE’D WAIT AS THE RESULT WHERE ALWAYS WAS THE SAME
I SHOCK HIS HAND AND SAID GREAT RACE FOR THE RESULT IT FINALLY CAME
A DEAD HEAT MUM SAID SEE THAT ALWAYS THE WAY WHEN YOU ARE A MOTHERS SON
I SAID TO TOM I’LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AND GIVE YOU ANOTHER RUN
B W HALL 2008
FLEA
IF YOU THINK LIFE'S FUN YOU SHOULD TRY BEING A FLEA
MOVING HOME UPON A DOG FROM FARM TO BY THE SEA
SOME OF US ARE LUCKY AND LIVE IN DOUBLE BAY
OTHER LAY DOWN TO SLEEP ON A DOG THAT’S STRAY
WHEN THE DOG HAS A SCRATCH IT’S BECAUSE OF WHAT I BE
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT IF I DO ITCH WHO IS THERE FOR ME
B W HALL 2008