The clean-up’s begun,
The tears have been shed,
We’ll rebuild the towns
But don’t be misled —
The fires have taught us
That Nature still rules,
That blazing forests
Speak louder than fools.
Nothing will change if
We still dig for coal;
We’ll heat the planet
And melt the North Pole.
Changed climate and drought
Fuel Nature’s ire;
Ignore that lesson,
We’re playing with fire.
Nari’s Hero Echo
(A true dolphin story from 2009)
Nari’s grown up
meeting lots of
humans every day.
They feed him fish
and watch as all
the dolphins swim and play.
Along with best-friend
Echo he will
entertain the guests.
By herding fish
round paddling feet
that tickle them in jest.
He’ll let the humans
stroke him as
for people, that’s a “must”.
It’s how we say
“I love you” and
that care’s gained Nari’s trust.
But recently
poor Nari got
a shark-bite on his head.
An injury
so serious
it could have left him dead.
For three whole days
the people feared
that Nari must have died.
He didn’t come
to visit them
and many people cried.
Then Echo brought
his injured friend
to Tangalooma beach.
And coaxed poor Nari
‘til he swam
within the people’s reach.
They gently lifted
Nari from his
darkened sea of gloom.
And flew him out
to Sea World where
their vets could treat his wounds.
Nari’s back at
Tangalooma
showing off his scars.
The people are
ecstatic. He’s
Australia’s dolphin star!
Have a read of the link to an article below
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-17/nari-the-dolphin-recovers-after-surgery/299910
Australian bushfires
They say the smoke has reached Chile.
Not just the smoke from our blazing forests,
But the smoke from lost fireys and townsfolk,
And thousands oft homes,
And five hundred million wild animals,
And cattle and sheep and bold horses
Burned alive in once-lush paddocks.
They say the smoke is toxic. It is not.
It is sacred.
One hour until midnight,
A strange and warning silence,
Do we stay – what are the odds though?
Sleep is no defence.
The judgment is to leave,
Sad words will not escape,
Sentiment is beaten,
Just a few things can we take.
A box of precious items –
Photographs, souvenirs,
Silly little trinkets,
A change of clothes, books,
Pillows and some blankets.
Tall trees stand surrendered,
The backdrop of our home,
The sky is red and the air is hot,
And tomorrow is unknown.
Our wonderful Australia,
Is a wonderful country,
That’s opened its arms,
To diversity.
It’s integrated people,
From afar and near,
Absorbed different cultures,
Given support to those in fear.
And now Australia’s shared,
With Indigenous and white,
And skins of many colours,
Which come together to unite.
Our richness has evolved,
From just food upon our plate,
But to customs, religion, art,
Architecture, and debate.
It is indeed a tapestry,
Of cultures intertwined,
And should be viewed and loved,
Not trampled by mankind.
This is Australia’s story,
And whilst troubles have been seen,
We strive to make it better,
Move forward from what has been.
So, let us all embrace,
Our great diversity,
Which brings us all together,
In this, our ‘sunburnt’ country.
Herald on Australia Day,
So, we can celebrate,
A country which embraces,
And where all can become a ‘mate’.
Australian Children’s Poetry 