~ Ghost Gums Revival ~
The stunning shot of Mt Hotham’s Ghostly Gums by the brilliant Neil Boucher has inspired me to write of these trees and the devastation bushfire has on our inaccessible bush.
Fair enough if the fires are started by nature – lightening and the like, but many have been started by the carelessness of man! When the bushfire is started by lightening there is usually a cool change that brings rain to quench it, but there is not usually a weather change in the area to assist with controlling the blaze when it is started by willy nilly carelessness – a flicked cigarette butt out a window or rubbish [glass can act like a magnifying-glass and concentrate sunlight onto dry grass] I even know of some that had been started by vehicles being driven off road [the heat from the under carriage quickly ignites dry grass]
I was up the High Country in mid January and to see the acres and acres of trees struggling to regrow was saddening but I wondered what the silver sheen to the crest of the mountains were …. now I know thanks to Neil’s picture!
Our Bush will revive but what say we try hard not to make it any harder for it than nature intended huh?
Thank you! ♥
[getting off my Bushfire soapbox now]
UPDATE: This was written & posted days before our Black Sat Fire storm 07-02-09 …. we must take responsibility for what we do!
~ Ghost Gums Revival ~ belongs to the following groups:
"Exceptional Ekphrasis", "Poetry and Beautiful Women" , All Around the Styles, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Australian Bush ☼ (aspects of realistic Landscapes - ie N0 Abstracts or Macros please!), Australian Landmarks and Icons, AW Welcome Center, Light In The Darkness, Live, Love, Dream: , Melbourne & Victoria, The Healing Journey, The Patchwork , Up & Coming Writers and WMGWhat is the silvery ghostly sheen
On top a mountain in the distance seen
get closer to find, though not settle your mind
tis the ravage where fire has been
Once thick canopy so lush appeared blue
Covered the mountains neath the sky’s bright hue
gone in a few days to inferno’s blaze
and starkness was left of the view
It has taken some time for the new to regrow
for the germinated seeds to fall and self sow
with patience we wait, hold our breath, hesitate
to see life return how we know
But the battle continues while there is still man
for actions from humans are something unplanned
be it rubbish or butt left in the cut
the fires will ravage again
And one day we shall see as we look to the crests
the mountain sides barren no tree will be left
the weeds will devour, t’will be darkest of hours
and nothing will save what was best
So take heed when you travel through our fragile bush
take your time, make certain, don’t be in such a rush
for to slovenly leave whatever you please
will destroy what is there with a gush
~ adgray © 2009
dawndavies
fabulous piece to match an awesome shot, dawnx
adgray replied
Thank you Dawn my friend!
Hope your winter is being kind to you!
Chookas! X♥X
Debbie Sanders...
excellent – so much info – so well said.
adgray replied
Thank you muchly !! ☺
It was stunning to see the “Silver” Topped Mountains! .... which obviously are all the ghost gums stark in the sunshine!
Of course it being Australia Day and with all the Banjo pieces bubbling about I fell into a limerick / bush ballad kind of thing – glad you liked it!
Chookas! X♥X
dawndavies
very cold and damp cant wait for a little sun,dawnx
adgray replied
I’ll send you some – we are facing 4 days of over 40’ heat! ... I will be exhausted by day 2! – red hair pudgy & hot houses are NOT a good mix! & this house gets BLOODY HOT!!! probably 2’ hotter than outside for hours longer! I dont want to think about it! <(
Chookas lamb!
blondiegirl
stay on the bushfire soapbox as long as you want – too many people never take heed or give a damn. love this piece btw!
adgray replied
Thanks Selina
Between the droughts and idiots causing massive bushfires, it’s a wonder we’re not a mars-scape by now!
Thanks for your support!
Chookas! ♥
NuckleHeadSteph
awwww, I just teared up. It’s so sad what we do to the beautiful backdrop we’ve been provided. This is such a good piece! I’m seriously wiping away a tear.
adgray replied
Thank you {handing tissues}
We do have to rethink just how we are treating our home planet! We do have to consider the impact and the consequences. Would we do that to our own room? house? yard? our own body? – yes I know we do all the time to our bodies – drinking, smoking, fatty foods, stress; and for what? the result is an early death!
I have always known humans to be arrogant & stupid & selfish but we “Try” to be “Good” Money truely is the root of all evil for that is the reason we don’t care about the planet, heck I reckon there are some real tossers out there who think they can “Buy” a new one!
{stepping down and kicking soap box back under bed!}
Thank you for coming to read my words !!
Chookas! ♥
NuckleHeadSteph
I am going to echo selina and say, keep that soap box out as long as you like! It’s the best piece of furniture you could have!
adgray replied
Thank you and you should see it too!
all French Polished & with square corners & hand carved dovetails!
Nothing like keeping a soap box well used!
Chookas to you too! ♥
PHOENIX APPEAL
Johnsart
Great writing. It’s sad to see how some destroy the one thing we have to live on and live of. You go walking in the bush and the first hour you see cans, buds and other litter. After that the people who care for the environment can start enjoying what’s left.
adgray replied
Thank you for coming to read my words John
right now our gorgeous Victorian bush is getting a massive clean up – no man made anything is surviving!
all I can say is Chookas to the goodness that will come from this! [& it will come]
Thank you! ♥
PHOENIX APPEAL
Tony Ryan
Think we humans get so self absorbed in our personal struggles at times. In these moods we tend to be unaware to the affect that our actions have on others and the environment. Then something like the bushfires happen and wake us up to be more self aware. One good thing to become apparent from this latest tragedy is the unity of the community in helping each other.
adgray replied
Most definately sir!
Thank you so much for coming to read my words!
have you seen PHOENIX APPEAL />& just heard about RB promising THIS
RB will match our appeal donations – dollar for dollar!
Phoenix is also passing on infor about the plight of the wild life!
Oh to be someone up there getting sooty & dirty & doing what needs to be done! This sitting here miles away safely is killing me!
I was up there last month I was in Healesville last week I CANNOT Fathom it has all vanished into ash!
I have offered my house for homeless to come to but the red cross only want money – I DON’T HAVE ANY!
I went down to my local blood bank to donate they were too busy to take me today! but it looked empty!
I know that the world must go on to help cope with this disaster but how do you do that? when what you do seems so menial?
I know everything plays a part in the bigger picture – even the smallest piece missing will leave a jigsaw incomplete BUT cant I help please!!!!
sorry just venting, trying to make sense of why I want to cry every five minutes and scream with frustration the next!
I used to help my community Now I’m Not Required because I have no money! ..... sorry thanks for listening/reading
chookas! ♥
EarthGipsy
Brilliantly written – thank you for reminding us all.
adgray replied
You is welcome! EG!
Chookas! xXx