The river – a metaphor for my life

By Lynn Elder

Slow and sluggish during times of scarcity
Fast and furious when abundance reigns
And just a steady stream of activity in between.
Crescendos as water pours over rocky cascades,
Tranquil and still during times of less rain.

Sparkling as a jewel on a sunny day
Gloomy as the darkest winter's day.
The river travels far, not always aware of its destination.
But end the river must, if it is to become part of something bigger.
The river, a metaphor for my life. 

My spiny friend

By Lynn Elder

When the skies turn bright blue and baking hot,
That is when a creature will seek out,
A respite from the blazing sun above, 
And take a splash in water they do so love. 

The echidna feels the heat as the mercury soars, 
And gives him reason to pause,
Chasing busy ants with his probing beak, 
And consider taking a break.

From the ant heap to the verandah, he does roam, 
For there, he senses that at this home, 
Lies untold luxury into which he does clamber, 
A water bowl to wash, and then to slumber.

Wet, wet, wet, spring

By Lynn Elder

Splashes of yellow bright sunshine comes between,
Splashes of water bouncing upon the already drenched earth.
Splashes of red and blue announce the arrival of the rosellas,
Splashes of water in the bowls as they frolic and beg for seed.
Splashes and quacking as ducks land on overflowing dams.

Splashes of running water cascading over temporary waterways.
Splashes of mud and water as gumboots wade through.
Splashes and squelching as cattle sink into the quagmire.
Splashes of furious currents as spillways release the excess water. 
Splashes as the four-wheel drive negotiates the potholes and puddles.

Splashes on the ground as the rainwater tank overflows.
Splashes of colour emerge in the form of flowers when grey clouds roll away.
Splashes of flowery fashions appear on the sunny spring days.
Splashes continue with each rainy day that insists on not stopping too soon.