Our beautiful rivers getting less . . .Slowly, surely, in Alpine Mountains melting mantle of snow
beginning of spring, summer, new lifecycle starting to show
like tears of joy sliding down granite sides, forming spring
spagnum marsh, gullies, that's where our mighty rivers begin
Progressing to larger soaks, skipping rocks, becoming juvenile
gathering speed, pausing in small billabong, rockpool for awhile
carrying nutrients, nourishing life along it's course and banks
animals of the bush, fish in river, birds and trees, giving thanks
Sustaining floodplains, billabongs, lakes, on journey to sea
here and there rapids, fragile environments, great diversity
some years it did extract, through floods, an awesome toll
those that did survive them will, when asked, vividly recall
On their tranquil waters paddlesteamers used to ply their trade
rivers main arteries of transport till better roads were made
a way of life, romance, camaderie on rivers has long since gone
water flows no longer free, stopped by what man has done
He built barriers, dams, all impounding water for irrigation
to generate electricity, made rivers slaves to urbanisation
a mere trickle now, as at beginning, some rivers at end are
man, in his ever greediness, is taking more than his share
Of a previously fast flowing river, that's now almost stalled
maybe, one day, he'll realise price of 'progress' as it is called
short term solutions to problems, the time bought, little effect
dying trees, lessening wildlife, salination, all thru gross neglect