It starts with a single languid drop,
beating a hardpan drum.
Cicadas warble a scorched-earth vibrato,
rushing skyward, the long-dry undone.
Rusty tears trickle their bullnose percussion
on verandah iron and brass. While the red dusts
of torment yawn and drink deeply,
thirsty as fire-kissed grass.
My hard-bitten mongrels, in Waratah shade,
flick ears laid unseasonably low.
Drought threatens to claim what Tigers have not.
Limp tails tell tales of woe.
Resembling slender men, brown withered stems
raise limp hands, tattered and burned.
A chorus begins, Magpie trills and woodwind;
life to the outback returned.
Movement staccatos; even dragonflies pause
from their wild tumbles and dips.
A long-absent lover, in the final refrain,
bestows a moist kiss on parched lips.
by Ryan Stone
* Tigers -> the venomous Australian Tiger Snake
Click here for audio
First published in Of Words and Water 2014
Your imagery is out of this world! I had to stop and re-read the line about “cicadas warbling a scorched-earth vibrato” because it was so stunning. I love how effortlessly you “vividify” everyday images (please excuse the atrocious grammar, but I really can’t think of a better word than “vividify” in this context.) For example, your descriptions of “fire-kissed grass” and “brown stalks resembling slender men” brought extremely strong visuals to my mind’s eye. 😊
Also, another effect of this beautiful poem is that it makes me want to go and live in the Australian outback! 😊
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Thank you again, Yusra – your feedback is very kind and wonderful to receive. Australia is a wonderful place if you ever need a holiday 🙂
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I love rhyme that is done well. I abandoned my own attempts at poetry with rhyme scheme after being disappointed in how contrived and shallow they were coming out. You do it so effortlessly, there is a wonderful flow and rhythm to this piece. The rhyme isn’t overwhelming or distracting in any way, it beautifuly blends in and unquestionably belongs.
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Thank you, Mila. I struggle with the very same things you’ve mentioned when trying to rhyme so I appreciate your comments no end. I’m really happy to hear it worked 🙂
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Beautiful and great visuality into this poem! I can see through your words! 🙂
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Wow! Thank you for such lovely feedback, Carolina 🙂
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Thank you Ryan for stopping by to my Meet and Greet! 🙂
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Your site is wonderful 🙂 Amazing for someone to have so much talent in so many different disciplines.
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Thank you Ryan you’re so kind! I am very happy to know that you enjoy it! I am very glad we discovered each other it is always great to interact with other talents!
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An enchanting description, took me back to summer’s meanderings! Loved the pictures and sounds you resurrected in my mind!
🙂
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Lovely feedback thank you, Dajena.
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How about this one? The imagery is superb! Among my favorites! 😀
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Ok. Standby 🙂
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Roger that! or should I say Aye Aye captain! 😀
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Sorry-soundcloud has changed since last time I used it and I couldn’t record to it directly. I found another way and I apologize for my totally-not-poetic voice in advance 🙂
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yay!! happy!!! listening 🙂
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sigh… I will definitely bookmark this one. It reads as lullaby. Love how you say “burned” 😀 😀 awww! and you had to smile at the end!!! 😀 😀 loved it! thank you
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Haha, thanks! My voice is better suited to cheering on my football team than reading poetry I’m afraid 😉
I have time to do one more if you’d like?
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YES!!!!!!!! oops.. was that too loud 😀
mmmmm let’s see 😀
happy!!!
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Lol. Let me know 🙂
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trying to find one with burn 😀 😀
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You’ll give me a complex! 😝
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nah! 😀 i am gentle
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Beautifully said…
chris
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🙂
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Sticker!
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This is lovely! I can feel the scene around me as I read.
Love your frequent fire references: transformative, cleansing & rebirth. Lovely! 🔥
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Thank you so much, Tiffany. Very nice of you to take the time to leave your thoughts – truly appreciated 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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🙂
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Bloody hell, Ryan! Oh man
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That was good, yeah?! Haha! Thank you, my friend 🙂
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nature’s orchestra – beautiful, ryan.
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Thank you kindly, Beth. I hope you had a lovely weekend 🙂
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You’ve transported me into nature’s lap! What an exquisite description, Ryan. I love how this song unfolds and you’ve weaved in those references to music seamlessly. Loved this through and through 😊
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Wonderful feedback thankyou 🙂 I’m really happy to know the rhythm flowed, that’s exactly how I think of the natural world – a subtle music flowing beneath the surface. Thanks for your thoughtful words, I hope your week is magic 🙂
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Wonderfully descriptive and powerful poem. You can really feel a rhythm throughout the poem.
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Thank you, Mandi. I’m so happy the rhythm came across. Have a magic week and thank you for your kindness 🙂
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Your writing is truly captivating–I’m held prisoner between the lines, and the last 4 restore me.
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Thank you, dear Muse. You are kind, as always 🙂
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Welcome 🙂
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I enjoyed hearing your reading very much–though I expected your voice to be lower…odd, how we look at a face and hear a certain voice in our heads 🙂 If you have a spare minute, I could use some help re doing similar audio at my blog: there’s a free (and accepted by WP) program–“cloud mix”, or something like that. I need to know if it would be comparable to SoundCloud–and whether one’s recording is then available to the entire world, or just the blog audience. Thanks in advance 🙂
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Haha, maybe too many Metallica songs left me a little scratchy for that one 😉
I’m not aware of that program as I just use soundcloud and post the link but I’d be more than happy to take a look and get back to you with my thoughts on it 🙂
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Oh thank you, Ryan–I’d appreciate it 🙂
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This one kills me absolutely. Such an amazing salute to your country, the sounds, the sights, everything. Bringing us in there with you. I think this is my favorite piece I’ve read of your work. Stunning. Plus the excellent recording – thank-you!! ❤
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You’re lovely! What nice feedback to receive. I live in such a beautiful place, I could write about it forever. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond-it means so much 🙂
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I feel the same way about where I live – I love these type of pieces!! I’ve done a lot of reading about Australia, and I’d love to visit, though there does seem to be a disturbingly high number of seemingly benign things that cause death. Personally, I just really want to hug a Wombat. The kangaroos would probably kick me. 😉
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Haha, yep – lots of nasties here…including wombats if you try to hug them. Lots of beauty, too.
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Darn it! Just like those Koalas huh? All good until you’re up in their face. Ah, well, it’s probably for the best. 🙂
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Oh yeah, koalas are definitely bad boys…don’t let their cuddly exterior fool you. We really don’t have much family-friendly wildlife here. Lovely to watch but most pack a mean punch 🙂
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You made me actually enjoy a rhyming poem?! :] Very beautifully done.
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Haha, I’m not sure how-I don’t rhyme well. Thank you for saying so, though. Hope you’re well, not long now!!
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😀 You’re welcome! And Peanut and I are well. Only 9-ish more weeks. Woohoo!
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Time flies. I can’t wait to hear what name you’ve chosen for him/her (and Ryan is available) wink, wink, nudge, nudge 😉
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Silly! Though Ryan is a great name. 😀
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Depends if your peanut is a boy or a girl, I guess. I’m very excited for you – so many magical things ahead 🙂
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I definitely think Peanut is a boy, but his or her daddy already has dibs on the name. Maybe the next one. 😉
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Haha, that’s just the way it should be 🙂
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A song for your colourful and musical poem …’Choir of Cicadas’ by Poets of the Fall (Finnish)
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Thank you, Ivor. I’ll check it out-sounds great 🙂
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Captivating writing, you take us to such highs and we like it!
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So lovely! Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Nice post 🌹🌹
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Thanks so much 🙂
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A symphony of, nature, always, wonderful to, be immersed into something like this.
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Truly it is. Thank you 🙂
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‘even dragonflies pause’ – ❤
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Thanks, Beth 🙂
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Ryan stone, this is good !!
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You’re the best! Thanks, Yassy 🙂
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Welcome, Ryan.
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