Page 16 - eMuse Vol.9 No.05_Classical

The Stockman’s Loss

© Catherine Lee 2020-04-04

The wind was attacking the branches of formerly flowering trees
that lined the distorted back fences, fragmented and brought to
their knees.
Charred leaves rose and whirled in the dust storm, bleak sorrow
and ruin now loomed,
and the curlews commenced with their crying
to warn in a way mystifying
of future destruction and chaos – a portent of everything doomed.

Murrurundi, 2020 Akubra in shreds on his forehead, a sweat-ridden shirt round his neck,
the stockman attempted to whistle to keep his emotions in check,
Poetry Report – Carol Heuchan consumed the remains of his damper, drank weak billy tea as he cried
to witness complete devastation
This dreadful isolation time at least has a positive. It means produced by intense conflagration
there’s time to catch up on things. And for me, one of those things consuming the work of a lifetime – despairing at stock that had died.
is the King of the Ranges Australian Horsemanship Challenge and
its inaugural Written Bush Poetry Competition. “No more, please, no more!” Had God heard him? He howled at
It was great to have good entries in both the Serious and the oblivious night.
Humorous sections and wonderful that a number of the competi- “Have pity!” he roared to the distance, and cursed the malevolent
tors were at the Poets’ Breakfast on the Sunday morning to hear blight.
the results and to perform their poems. His fingers caressing a trigger, but loath to abandon his dreams,
The Humorous section winner was Beryl Stirling from Morisset, he sat all alone and surrounded
NSW, with a clever little poem about cricket rivalry and written in by carnage and wreckage unbounded,
the vernacular of the dedicated fan. It’s entitled ‘An Australian His- reflecting upon the grim prospect, whilst plagued by those spine-
tory Lesson’. chilling screams.
The Serious Section and subsequent overall Champion and first But hope did not come in the dawning, nor yet with the afternoon
to have her name on the Outback Heritage Trophy, was Catherine sun,
Lee who writes from overseas but has a base in Sydney. Her mov- which burned with a merciless fury that no-one could try to
ing and eloquent poem is entitled ‘A Stockman’s Loss’. outrun;
Congratulations all round. and into a smoke-clouded sunset, outlining the smouldering land.,
I have done a considerable amount of judging over the years heat bled with unending oppression
and it’s never easy. Choosing the poems that blend ‘story tell- to add to his helpless depression;
ing’ entertainment with technical expertise is always a challenge. intense, uncontrollable torment – no sign of respite near at hand.
Recognising and rewarding the ‘degree of difficulty’ tackled rather
than just accepting an overly simplistic, bland ditty that ticks the He scanned the remains of the homestead and mourned the
required boxes but is not necessarily inspiring, can make a discern- inferno’s cruel trick;
ing judge think carefully. the wasted results of his labour wrought hard with his shovel and
In the humorous category, for example, there were many very pick.
funny poems that were, unfortunately, not very well written. Yes, He’d fought but now knew he was beaten, and lifting blank, deso-
the entertainment factor is vital but do we throw away all that we late eyes
purport to aspire to in our ideals and standards of Bush Poetry writ- conceded defeat – first suppliant,
ing? It is, after all, a word-smithing competition. Or conversely, do then suddenly, wildly defiant
we reward the technically correct poem that strikes no spark or began to sing out in his anger, Matilda, aloud to the skies.
that is mundane and uninspiring? Way out in the darkening bushland, the shortest of silences fell
A judge’s dubious decision can negatively impact on the cred- as briefly some startled wild creatures paid heed to the depths of
ibility of the competition. The search is for perfection but it is rare his hell.
and judging is subjective and consequently difficult and sometimes His voice became stronger with passion, till finally hopelessness
controversial. Even our winning poems here, one might argue have passed.
some minor errors but they are undoubtedly clever, competitive As curlews resumed their commotion,
and certainly worthy. with anguish as vast as the ocean
I commend those who asked to be critiqued and I appreciate he fell to the ground spent and shattered – lay tragically breathing
the responses I received to my critiques. I am concerned that ap- his last.
parently there have been critiques from other competitions that
merely gave a few comments – not true critiques. It is vital that if But still during dusk in the springtime, when copious flowering
you accept to judge, you are capable and willing to explain clearly trees
all areas where the writers need to improve. are vibrant and verdant in moonlight, their blooms tossed about
Thanks to the organisers of this competition and to Neil McAr- in the breeze,
thur for his support by way of ABPA magazine advertising and Greg renewal has come to the landscape and seasons have balanced
North for website coverage and Wally Finch for eMuse reports. the pain,
King of the Ranges is a great event – come along for the ride they say he is witnessed sojourning,
next year! to celebrate lushness returning –
the stockman rides onto his station, applauding the coming of rain.
16 eMuse May 2020