Ferry across the Murray

I've crossed over this river
From bank to bank
Upon these old ferries
Since I was young
For me it began
Way back in the 1960's
We crossed over every week
From Kingston-on-Murray
To Barmera for our shopping trips
It was part of our lives back then
That river crossing: a happening
No bridge to cross over
No other way: to this day
I remember those many crossings
Just as plain as day
It was a part of life
The waiting: so much worse
During the holidays
So many cars waiting
In the blistering heat
Long lines of steaming motors
Dying to get across
To the other side
To the lake
To the shops
To the caravan park
To continue on their journey
No matter where it was
You had to cross on the ferry
That's all there was!

Ghost gum

There's a ghost gum in the back yard
A few dogs barking up the street
Air conditioners going full bore
Trying to cool the scorching air
Try to cool everyone...what a chore!
Here in the Lucky Country
Up on the great Murray River
Everyone is chilling
Everyone is getting ready
For tomorrow's heat
Getting a few hour's rest
Trying to relax...doing their very best
Knowing full well that
The heat is a trying test
But that's the way the cookie crumbles
That's the way it goes
You do your best in life
Taking on whatever it is
That God throws at you
The tribulations...the trials
Knowing all the while
That God's love reigns
And in the end
You have become the end result
The polished gem!

Phoenix arising

I am like
The Phoenix
Arising
From the ashes
Though consumed
Now I come
Ready for this new life
I am arising
Out of darkness
It is surprising
And yet I know
My destiny
It comes
So
Like the Phoenix of old
I arise
I am ready
The new Phoenix
I am!

Hurricane Suzie

Did one of those Facebook things
About how I lose my temper...
Apparently I'm like the stormy weather
A hurricane...

Am I really that bad?
Do they all go running?
As I'm about to blow...
As I'm about to let go...

Well I know I used to blow
Used to erupt and just explode
Haven't I improved with age?
Am I ever gonna be at some other stage?

Do these stormy winds that blow?
Really and truly show
That I haven't changed
That I'm still the same?

For many years I'd stand up
And beg for a fight
Didn't know it would take so long
To realise...for it to sink in...

You don't have to argue
You don't have to fight
You can escape the danger
Simply go aside and pray!

Then instead of inviting in
That evil slimy snake
Give him a miss
Pray for guidance

Pray for help
Then when angels hear
They will come ever near
They are God's messengers

They will bring good cheer
Joyfully intercede my dear
Choose peace and love
Choose the heavens above!

Why solitude

Why am I?
Feeling like this?
Why do I?
Have to feel sad?
Why is it?
That life can be a mess?
Why can't it be?
Simple? Easy?
Let me guess...
Life wasn't meant to be easy!
Life was meant to count
But it's hardly fair?
Why do I feel the need?
The need to sit apart
And stare out to sea?
What is it that draws me?

The silence...it never speaks...
The peace...it simply is...
The infinity...god's gift...
The solitude...no others intrude...

Sentimental journey

We took a long drive
Travelled the roads again
The same roads we've taken
For so many long years
But this time was different
This time it seemed to change
For though we travelled together
It was like a different exchange
Though normal seeming
Also it was very strange
Like I was getting to say
A farewell...a long goodbye
To my past...to my younger days
To all the many stages
Of this long and varied age
So goodbye Sedan and local lands
Goodbye Swan Reach, Murraylands
Goodbye to my schoolyard days
This new year is unfolding
Who knows when next I'll be
Here a wandering...strolling
It's time to let the new year in
With all it's freshness
Let this new life begin!

Down by the river

Down by the mighty river
At the end of another day
Dark storm clouds receding
Simply floating far away
It's been a real scorcher
Both today and yesterday
But now as night is falling
Raucous river birds are calling
And it's just another evening
The ending of another Sabbath day
Bush fires are still burning
Far away in the Adelaide Hills
I cannot see the smoke here
I cannot smell the burning trees
But though there is distance between us
I know that many souls cry out in pain
The few paltry drops we received
Barely touched the dry dusty lands
So though it rained else where
Just as many people prayed
Here you cannot tell the difference
Here we had just the smell of rain
So dear Lord I thank you
For the blessed Sabbath day
Though many suffered sadness
We must still be thankful
That we have made it
Through another blessed day