My Heaven
At ten years old, dad gave to me, the place that I love best.
A spot I know thats aptly named they call it Troubles Rest.
You find it by a disk nailed high, upon a redgum tree.
It cost you zip to pitch your tent, cause camping there is free.
Where to start, the times I love, its hard to pick the best.
Waking up to gumleaf scent, that makes the air so fresh.
Light the fire to billy boil, that first cup of the day.
Stick your latte, give me flat, and dont knock Nescafe!
Take it to the big felled tree, that sits above the river.
Walk along the length of it, and feel a little shiver.
Sit and wait, the silence great, the suns not risen yet.
You sip and wait to greet the day, god, how good can it get?!
Sun rays beam out through the trees, a golden day begins.
A mob of cockys shatter peace, they make a mighty din.
The bush alarm clock rise and shine - you just gotta love this!
Unless you have a hangover and then you want to shoot it!
The sun is now above the trees, the chill has left the air.
You lift your face up to the warmth, and surely have no cares.
Troubles Rest has weaved its magic, your soul is now at peace.
You smile to know this feeling, will be with you for the week.
Friends wake up and stagger from their tents with heavy heads.
Looking for some coffee, or some water, thirsts to quench.
Morning all, I say so bright, with a smile of most content.
They eye me through bloodshot eyes with thumping nasty heads.
Leave them to their pain and drinks, to set up my sunlounge.
Then get the latest novel, from a great author I found.
Sunnies on, shorts and tank, esky nice and handy.
Full sun there to settle in, that suits me fine and dandy!
Friends will say to wear sunscreen, who get the squinty eye.
Never used that death in a tube, I say, in all my life!
The only way to beat the heat, is head down to the river.
Dive on in to cool right down, the sun will end the shivers.
Repeat, repeat, down some drinks, have a little lunch.
Share some laughs with the gang, a really happy bunch!
Chisel blaring from the ute, ski boat motors revving.
God, I think, this place I love, is my idea of heaven!
The sun sinks down below the trees, time to put warm clothes on.
Hammock time for a laze, before the dinner call comes.
Swinging slow, cicadas sing, sugar gliders gliding.
Life is great, right here and now, my spirit sure is flying.
The search starts up to gather wood, before the darkness looms.
Spark up the fire see it burn time for lots more tunes.
Solar lights around the camp, all light up one by one.
A carnival of colour shows, by time thats all been done.
Bush tucker chefs show their skill, on campfires there at night.
Camp oven stews and roasts they make, are such a fine delight!
Dishes done and put away, before the ants come marching.
Bug Off sprayed all around - the mozzies will be biting!
Music, drinks, stories and laughs, dancing by the fire.
One more log, its burning down, yeah right, it cant get higher!
Fire bugs, true, one and all, they watch it snap and hiss.
Music quiets, thoughts turn deep, a campfire will inspire this.
Moon so bright, stars alight, night sky it is a wonder.
Whys it not just like this, in cities, I do ponder.
Shooting star across the sky, make a wish, they say.
What more could I want, spending time here on this day?
Friends head off, one by one, to bed in their own tents.
Another day is done and dusted, and the night so too it ends.
I sit alone and stare at fires embers burning down,
and wonder why in gods name, do I live in a big town?
So what, you wonder now, is the part that I love best,
of this little magic spot, they named Troubles Rest?
There is no bad, no so-so ground, no average or fair.
Theres only great and wonderful, and not a single care.
Meg Bond
23/09/2018