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" The Flood on the Darling River "

  Painting by

 William Piguenit  

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The Flood in the Darling 1890

 ~*~*~

Iron Poet Challenge # 11

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Keen of the Darling River

by

Füsun Atalay

 *~*~*

My bed has shrunk; blue surface - a memory of my past

The scorched plains are bare; skies - the colour of brass

No kookaburra above, no breezes through bronze grass

Silence has crept and hangs above like a ghastly shadow

No longer flowing in the glory of my heydays - alas !

Snaking from Queensland to northern New South Wales.

~ ~ ~ 

Death and ruin are what I see everywhere I crawl;

All that bears witness to the flood of eighteen hundred and nine-zero

Is but a murky stream advancing on the grey-black mire;

While quagmires quiver and in debris salt-springs bubble,

Sojourner, if you pass by, listen: You may learn a lesson dire

And take heed when you hear the keen of the Darling River.

~*~*~*~

Füsun Atalay ~ Copyright © Will of my Own - 2012

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This is my first participation in the Iron Poet Challenge. I was planning to read and admire the entries of the super-talented poets here, but I just couldn't ignore Little Kate's invitation this time. So, doubtful as to if I joined the flow or followed my own path, I rolled up my pants and jumped into the river of my choice, let's say.