lost dreams
alone
still
stranded
high and dry
left
abandoned
to
die
the grass is long gone
red soil
remains
a remnant of once was
but never again
alone
it stands
sentinel
guarding
lost
dreams
or so it seems….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The above was my attempt to put words to this powerful image, but focussed only on the tree.
Another bubbler, adgray has penned a poignant piece on the issue of drought, which follows.
You can also read it here
Waiting Out the Dry
The prayers for rain keep the trees alive
Tears of anguish are hard to hide
Kick the dust and wait for clouds to break
stop please stop – they pass by – such heartache
The tantalizing sweetness is smelt on the air
What happened to Australia Fair?
When the rains do come as they surely will
Will the feed return? Are the seeds good still?
But we’ll get stuck in like our forefathers did
Providing the banks will stay their pound of flesh bid
Boots and all we’ll turn it round
And again raise a living from the ground
lost dreams belongs to the following groups:
As Is, Environmental Awareness, Farms and Countryside, Landscape Photography, Rural NSW, The Word Tree and UK to Australia and Back Available for sale asGreeting Cards and Matted Prints
~ Ademac
Well spotted, wonderful image………
mohammed
wonderful shot
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thanks for your comment…the not so wonderful aspect of this, and reason/purpose behind the shot itself, was the absoltuely desperate state of the drought when this was shot!!
I had no idea that the earth was this red, as I’d never seen it bare of any vegetation before. Shocking was my reaction.
adgray
The prayers for rain keep such trees alive
tears of anguish are hard to hide
kick the dust and wait for the clouds to break
stop please stop – they pass by – such heartache
the tantalizing sweetness is smelt on the air
what happened to Australia Fair?
when the rains do come as they surely will
will the feed return? are the seeds good still?
but we’ll get stuck in like our forefathers did
providing the banks will stay their pound of flesh bid
boots and all we’ll turn it round
and again raise a living from the ground
Your poem about the tree is gorgeous -
and this one hit me full on – sorry lol :O)
Is this the shot of your other one in the intervening year?
sadly barren huh – our food comes from country like this! very scary!
Chookas! ♥
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Oh this is amazing…no need for an apology at all!!!
I’m flatter, honoured, humbled, blown away that you were moved to write by one of ‘my’ pics.
Yes, this is as you guessed is a shot of the intervening year, not quite in the same location, although I have one nearer there. But this one is more impressive I thought. Much more stark, and so is the contrast between the two.
And to your final comment, yes, I agree!!!
: )
rosedew
Lovely image
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you rosedew for your comment…(also, love your ‘name’). I thought it was strikingly symbolic with just one lone tree in the midst of the barren earth, and heavy, but empty promise, clouds overhead and behind.
: )
adgray
finished poem here
with links back to you – must go to bed now – Chookas Lady ♥
poupoune
Fantastic shot and very nice text.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Sorry, I didn’t realise, until now, that I hadn’t replied to your lovely comment!!
Thank you so much.
Adgray’s written some even better text, which you can check out here ... but thank you for your kind words about my few scratchings!!
: )
Elaine Harriott
This is a very powerful (yet sad) image.
The composition is so well done, very touching this image.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
THank you Elaine, but I can’t really take much credit for this and instead, will pass your words onto the photographer who shot this for me. I didn’t have a camera with me, so asked a friend to take a photo for me. The devastation to the land in a year, (since taking dry), was so shocking and I felt had to be documented and preserved for later commentary and publicity of the farmers’ plight.
I thought my friend composed it beautifully and the clouds of empty promises formed a stunning backdrop.
So I will definitely tell him. Thank you.
: )
josiem
beautiful capture
the vast landscape is amazing
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you very much.
I actually drove past this same spot and could not believe the difference since some rain has fallen. If I’d been able to, I would have stopped an taken another shot, post this one.
: )
Vonnie Murfin
I love this image. The world is big but our dreams are just moment away. We just have to push the hard work behind us and focus on ourselves. Great job.
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you Vonnie…I love it too (a friend took it for me) and have just added adgrays poem to the page, as your wonderful, moving comment prompted me to revisit an almost forgotten work.
Except that I passed by this spot only a couple of days ago and took another shot. Oh how things have changed there…it will be uploaded very shortly.
: )
Kenny Gulley Jr.
this si a wonderful solemn image
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
Thank you Kenny…it was taken a couple of years ago at a particularly devastating stage of the drought. I had no idea that the earth was that colour; I’d never seen it without grass before, nor animals grazing.
Thank you for your praise.
: )
aspectsoftmk
this is seeing the more jan….the photo is vast and has so many stories…love your words!....and adgrays too
Jan Stead JEMp... replied
ah you are so kind aspects. The landscape at that time was so sad, stark and yes, told many a story. It was heartbreaking to see. I simply couldn’t continue to drive past all the farms as they wept for rain to water the parched earth, feed the animals and water the seeds planted in hope, in faith, in trust.
I was greatly honoured and humbled that adgray was inspired to pen an accompanying piece. I love it too!
: )
Holly Kempe
So poignant…..I love this…. it says so much with so little…..a fantastic image Jan!