All day long the sun burning in the blue sky
The dam almost empty the creek is bone dry
The sheep from the sun sheltering by the trees
On a day in late Spring of 25 degrees
For late Spring the paddocks look so brown and bare
A drought at this time of year to say the least seems rare
The warm and dry days of Summer of us are ahead
The driest for decades the weather experts have said,
Financially the farmer is not doing well
His best breeding stock he has been obliged to sell
Bank interests are rising and livestock selling cheap
And no profit in cash crops or cattle and sheep,
The creek it is dry as is the roadside drain
And the farmers are hoping and praying for rain.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Thanks for reminding me of what it is to experience a drought. To which I add: The Drought At ten in the morning The haze has burned away As any trace of moisture From the night's gone without delay. The smell of the grass Burns in your nose An acrid smell That just never goes. The sound of footsteps on what remains of the grass Is a crunching admission That life here is past. There's not much left Even the weeds gave up the ghost And all else has been eaten Or burned into toast. So why do the farmers and ranches stay? They have faith that rain will come again some day And the land will burst forth in lush velvet green For those that remain. Rewards yet to be seen. Surprising it is that more have survived The drought in which so much perished and died Yet faith in the future Is why man has chosen to stay On this barren expanse of sand, dirt and clay. To be rewarded for their vigil And hear a meadowlark sing Is what all live for - Hopefully, next spring. s