Moore River Blues

1993

In a quiet little village, about an hour north of Perth,

I've got a modest cottage on my special bit of earth.

I look out on the ocean, and the river flowing near,

And know I'm very lucky, that I am living here.

For I watch perpetual motion, in the river and the sea.

In the colours and the texture: They set my spirit free

At dawn and in the evening, I hear the magpies trill,

And the kookaburras laughing, by the shop up on the hill

And high up in the tree tops, on every branch and fork

I watch the antics of the birds, as they squabble, chatter, squawk.

And 'neath the trees, the silver-eyes and wrens are quietly drawn

To flutter in the rainbows of the sprinkler on my lawn.

On many mornings, early, when the breeze blows easterly,

I stand knee deep in water casting bait into the sea

I'm often times rewarded, with tailor, herring, whiting.

But the joy is in the sunrise. (It's a bonus if they're biting)

Some days when it’s a trifle cool and the morning air is chilly.

I chase a little golf ball on fairways green and hilly.

My handicap! Now what is that? I neither know nor care.

For the pleasure's not in counting, but just in being there.

For in the spring, the heath lands come alive with vivid hues

Of wildflowers in every shade of yellows, reds and blues.

You ask, why is it special? The reason's plain to see

I can forget the city's rush, and commune with earth and sea

...ooo...

1996

But paradise is threatened by the city's urban spread.

Instead of trees and sandhills, there'll be rooftops there instead.

For the far side of the river, where our children used to play

And families have their picnics on a windy summer’s day.

Where the water birds go wading and the eagles soar above

This special place of nature, the place that many love.

The place that makes a poet out of any common bloke

Is set to be “developed”. I don’t find it a joke.

For the plan has now been published, its down in black and white,

Houses almost to the river, a very different sight.

And room to put a shopping mall, a library and a school.

Will the company put them in there? If you think that, you're a fool.

For the dollar signs are gleaming in the visions of the few

Who would turn this piece of nature into an urban zoo

With cars, manure and garden sprays, each do their little part

To kill the fragile river, to cut it to the heart.

To poison all the fishes, and the birds along the edge

and the creatures that inhabit each little rocky ledge.

So years from now, I see it clear, a narrow dirty creek

meanders through the suburbs, and I hear the people speak.

"Wouldn't it be lovely had our forebears got it right"

"If they'd left a piece of nature. If they'd only had the sight

To slow the city's growing spread, to curb its northern push

And left us with a river and a bit of natural bush."

But I'm too much of a cynic, I know our planners well,

Persuaded by the dollar, on a one-way trip to hell.

For hell to me is where I'll be when my spirit doesn't soar.

When there is no longer beauty when I look out of my door.

Where the colour of the river is an algae kind of green

And the parrots and the silver eyes and wrens are rarely seen

And the heath land where the flowers grew becomes a shopping mall

Surrounded by a car park with room for one and all

But for one thing I am hopeful, it’s not happened overnight

And maybe; - just a maybe; there's still time to get it right.

...ooo...

2006

Now years on down life's highway, a light shines clear and bright,

The South Side River Urban Plan, has almost gone from sight.

For after near on ten long years of plans that came and went

And bleatings from the company regarding money spent.

The government has had its say, there'll be no urban zoo;

The land will stay much as it was, and the river, it will too.

And the voices of the people, who cried out in protest long

Can be heard along the river as they sing in joyous song.

And this little piece of paradise, where the river meets the sea

Will stay a place to be enjoyed by the likes of you and me.

©    B. Langley   1993, 1996, 2006