Hi Pauline

Loved your poem.

Here is one I wrote on a similiar vien about the proposed development of an Iron Ore shiploading deep water Port at Oakajee, just North of Geraldton in Western Australia...Stan

Ode to Oakajee      by Stan Maley 1/6/2008

Rain promised its mystery to you.

Left like a shy girl.

Cloudy coquette spread its desire across the Wheatfield’s.

Teased the parched green grass’s dry tears.  

Oakajee, today we love your rolling surf of sea on white beaches,

sharp sandy rise to timeless dunes.

Watch how your river works its time on shore and sea,

feeds the ocean bed as in eons past, creates a fragile place,

unique creatures evolve into this magic scene, pristine.

A wandering place of an ancient race that touched not your grace,

they held you to their bosom like a song.

A new man looks over you for better things in life for his and his and theirs.

A port to load long, long ships of ore.

To build concrete, steel, tarmac, industry, railways, roads.

With power he forces the gentle slopes beneath his iron tread,

turns colours, delicate forms to slush and dust beneath his feet.

Tentacles of his growth spread like a black octopus across your land and sea.

Time clocks up its endless march as Clouds drift by again in silent sky and see your coast,

how changed it is?

They look and move away, no tears fall from their eyes.

Mountains have gone down to sea in ships to leave the dry land a barren place,

and Spirits moan beneath the layers of sand,

black crow cries out in twisted fright across the eternal night.