Streetlife Serenade

About living in an Australian country town and the sense of community

 

Crystal skies a sunrise morn,

rolling hills in country dawn,

so begins the country life

  blocks away from city strife, 

in heat and haze we carry on.  

 

Everyday sees a different beat

  somewhere on a busy street,

the hustle, bustle of daily grind,

friendly chats as lives entwine,

so it is in country greet. 

 

Walkers out on their morning stroll, 

headphones on that rock n roll,

mornings sizzle in summer heat,

running children on laughing feet,

the town is beating life and soul.  

 

An old man sits his paper spread                            

  in cafe front when night has fled, 

people gather, the passing crowd 

  seldom under thundercloud, but

  weaving that community thread.         

 

Mothers scurry in the mall,

checking lists in written scrawl,

the clink and clatter of coffee cup,

friends gather peddling gossip,

customers in checkout crawl.

 

A familiar face but seldom seen, 

all living their own country dream,

ones who rarely come to town, but

  work the land till sundown,

rarely to see the green.

 

A hundred stories on a given day 

  of a country life they chose to play, 

the heat and dust of the ‘bushy’ scene,

was this their idyllic dream, as

  other worries heavy weigh.

 

 Buskers sometimes on sidewalk play,           

helping people along their way, 

a familiar face a cheery chat in

  a hot, dusty habitat,

a determined spirit every day.  

 

This rural life a slower pace with 

  time to recognise a face,

not like the city’s daily queues with

  noise, smog and limited views,

we revel in so much space.

 

 

 

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a great epic poem about country town life. I've had this experience most of my life & it's very different from living in big cities. You highlight many simple but impactful details that make the difference in these kinds of places. You really nailed it, as far as all the thing most country folk cherish about their communities. Great rhyme & rhythm sustained for such a long poem! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard M]

Thank you Margie for reading and reviewing. I'm thrilled you like it!

[Donna]

Australia sounds like a beautiful place. I have lived in the United States my whole life. I would love to see Australia some day! Nice poem!

[Donna]

Australia sounds like a beautiful place. I have lived in the United States my whole life. I would love to see Australia some day! Nice poem!

[Chris Shaw]

The contrast between rural and city life. I have known both. Was born in a city and spent my early years there, but give me a rural setting any day. I really enjoyed the tone of this poem. Give me the slower life style any day over the hustle and bustle of the dirty old city. Your poem flows well and is a great read Richard. well done.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you so much Chris. I've lived here all my life and can move around freely, but love that people know people. I'm so a people person! Thank you again for reading.

[Chris Shaw]

It was my pleasure Richard.