V6 The Man on The Land, Yesterday and Today, Dasher, Birthdays,

The Man on the Land
Graeme Cook

I’ve always been a bit of a ‘country boy’, having been born in Gippsland, and spent a fair time hiking and camping over the years. Some people still refer to me by that title, though like everything today, they abbreviate it!

He’s up and out there, at work before Dawn,
He’ll likely not stop, till the daylight has gone,
And survey his day’s work, with a smile and a yawn,
Such is, the Man on the Land.

With the sun on his brow, or the rain on his back,
With the land underwater, or bush-fired black,
He can only plod onward, there’s no turning back,
Such is, the Man on the Land.

From when the cattle are fat, and the wool price is hot,
To when the stock are diseased, and drought kills the crop,
We know he’s out there, giving all that he’s got,
He is, the salt of this Land.

And she’s there beside him, and together they’ll fight,
Battling banks, bills, and Nature, from morning ‘til night,
Alone he can’t make it, but together they might,
They are, the folk of this Land.

So, Lest We Forget those, who died in the wars,
Keeping us safe, within our golden shores,
But we have other heroes, and I know that because,
Such is, the Man on the Land,

God Bless the Man on the Land.

Graeme Cook 1996
Ringwood Melbourne Victoria

Hear Graeme read his poem on his ACCN Homepages - CLICK on CD SAMPLE then Click here to play

JACK THE DANCER

While growing up, I was never allowed to say the word
It was always hushed up and sad
When we talked about a very sick friend
I just wondered which sickness they had

“Jack the Dancer” was so often spoken about
As if I knew what that meant
I always wondered if “Jack” had a partner to dance with
Or… was he simply a lonely gent ?

It wasn’t until I was fifty
At my birthday party, with family that night
When I felt “Jack” sitting right on my shoulder
Saying “Believe me, it won’t always be right”

I felt, so very deeply inside me
That something was terribly wrong
This horrible cloud hovering over me
Made me cold when they sang my birthday song

It was only when “Jack” came a’calling
Just over a month from that day
That I realised how close he’d touched me
He’d moved into my body to stay

It was almost as if I was happy
‘Cause I finally knew why he said that to me
At least it wasn’t going to happen
To any of my dear family

So, I went through the dark operation
They removed bits and pieces of my life
But the miracle still carries me forward
For they left my dear husband his wife

Of course, life within me has changed so
And emotions fly inside and about
But the chemo and radiotherapy
Made “Jack” pack his bags and get out

The black cloud that “Jack” used to live in
While hovering over my soul
It has been dispersed by my Doctor
He’s given my whole life a new goal

I now live life to it’s fullest
Every second is so precious to me
I can’t wait to wake up in the morning
“Jack” has finally gone…and I’m free

But…does “Jack” ever really leave you ?
Once he visits, he leaves such a mark
On our body, so tender and fragile
Always fight him with all of your heart

Gwen Bathols
Melbourne Victoria

Dasher - a Guide Dog Pup

You came to us, a ball of fluff
You rolled around and acted tough
You ate my plants and wet the floor
You cried a lot, we fed you more
You jumped and leapt, and made me frown
When I saw my washing on the ground
And now, my dog, you’re fully grown
You’re ready now, to leave our home
And when you go, our hearts will swell
You’re brave and true, you’ll guide so well
But - horror - shock - you failed the test
You tried so hard and did your best
We sang you songs, and talked to you
I guess that wasn’t what we were meant to do
A guiding dog just should not jump
When a train goes by, or the thunder thumps
Your calling now will take you far
For helping others you always are
You brought us love and laughter, too
You taught US well, a dog so true
So now it’s Goodbye
Your testing’s through
They’ve found your niche
You have a job to do

Gwen Bathols
Melbourne Victoria

Note
• Gwen's work is submitted by her husband, Bruce who is a marriage celebrant and ACCN member.
• Dasher was a Guide Dog Puppy we trained for 11 months
• Please Bruce if you are interested in copyright approval for this piece.

Sharing Our Tomorrows

Today, as we renew our pledges
Of fidelity and commitment
We honestly believe we can face each new task,
Each simple pleasure - if we are together.
We believe the substance of our lives to be more constant,
More compassionate, more caring, more secure
than ever before…
Perhaps, it's because we've experienced pain,
Insecurity and conflicts that confused our senses -
And fractured our objectives
We realize that our relationship is far more challenging
Each day holds a promise of surprise and delight
Our togetherness is twice cherished
And we feel truly blessed with the radiance
Of an assured and comforting love to shield us -
As we face our tomorrows."

© Ruth Van Gramberg

For more information about poetry by Ruth Van Gramberg, please email Rona or Ginny at ACCN

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday I was co-dependant
Today I am interdependent

Yesterday I lived in fear
Today I live in joy

Yesterday I relied upon belief systems/judgement
Today I am free

Yesterday I harboured anger
Today I know forgiveness

Yesterday I blamed
Today I take responsibility

Yesterday I thought my happiness was to be found in people and things outside of myself
Today my happiness is within me

Yesterday I wished positively and thought negatively
Today I think positively and trust

Yesterday I tried to control life
Today I embrace life

Yesterday I masked my pain
Today the mask is off

Yesterday I denied my emotions and stuffed them inside
Today I embrace my pain

Yesterday I played the victim
Today I am the creator of my reality

Yesterday I wanted other people to change
Today I make the change within myself

Yesterday I listened to other people
Today I listen to myself

Yesterday I was asleep
Today I am awake

Yesterday I lived my life through my husband
Today I live my life

Yesterday I didn’t know who I was
Today I know myself

Yesterday I lived in the past and waited for the future
Today I live in the moment

Yesterday I waited for life to happen
Today I make things happen

Yesterday I didn’t know my dreams
Today I live my dreams

Yesterday I saw the faults in others
Today I see the beauty in all

Yesterday I re-acted to life
Today I take a deep breath and respond to life!

Yesterday I criticised myself
Today I accept myself

Yesterday I didn’t like myself
Today I love myself

Yesterday I thought life was difficult
Today I love life
Yesterday I cursed adversity
Today I bless adversity

Yesterday I loved materialism
Today I love simplicity

Yesterday I was too busy to make time for myself
Today it is my priority

Yesterday I looked at what I didn’t have
Today I look at what I have

Yesterday I never felt I had enough
Today I have it all

From Dare To Grow Through Adversity
Copyright Permission:
contact Yvonne on
www.yvonnethomas.com.au

Birthdays are also ways to take time out
to reflect without expectation
on special people in our lives
Those who hold our hearts in theirs
Whose cares and woes become our own
as do their joys and their delights

Birthdays are powerful rites of passage for us all
to marvel at the gift of life
passed on by those
before us
to be shared by those
around us
and if we're lucky
to nurture those who come
behind us.

Birthdays too are times for building
beautiful memories
Those unbreakable time capsules that knit
us together
with threads of love and friendship.

May this special birthday we share today
with (name)
be all those things and more
So let's charge our glasses (or cups of tea)
for her (his) health and happiness
and wish her (him) one and all
'Happy Birthday'
and we repeat ...
'Happy Birthday !'

© R F Carey

Please contact us if you are interested in copyright approval for this piece.