Of Droughts and Flooding Plains

(written on 11/1/11)

A country of extremes

Bushfires in WA

Floods over more than a third

Of Queensland

And rain still falling

And more to come

The drought was desiccating

-  As droughts are –

But now the plains will

Be flooded for many weeks

And peoples’ lives

Once filled with the heritage

Of drought

Are now torn emotionally

And physically as water

Speeds through countryside

And homes and towns

And families

As the rain continues

We, in the southern states,

Gasp in disbelief and awe

But knowing that

Hope and resilience

Will come to the fore.

©Peter Bean