JOURNEY IN A HARSH LANDSCAPE . . .

The mid-winter morning is, as usual, crisp, clear and cold

the vegetation to be seen all round appears ancient, very old

low wizened Mallee, Acacia growing in very small fertile patches

morning breeze creating melodies in passing when it touches

Dusky unusual silhouttes rising gracefully against sky of old

it feels like serenity, as always, slumbering beneath limestone fold

distinctive ringing bird calls float across the early morning sky

those of us having been here before, as if friends are passing by

Songs of early birds, Babblers, Fan-tailed cuckoos, Currawong

maybe these birds with their beautiful songs, teaching their young

one would not think that any life could exist in this harsh land

for some birds, animals, it fulfills however a need, diet very bland

Pounding waves along seashore, eerie sounds in stillness of night

millions of stars in sky above, no moon, they provide the only light

presence of underground caves, indicated by blow-holes, big, small

sometimes full of clear water, ironic in area of very low annual rainfall

Landscape scarred, almost barren, anything survives here is a wonder

this is one of the mysteries of this, Australia, a land called "Down Under"

a result of millions oif years of battle between wind, sun, land, and sea

to be in this environment is good for the soul, mind, feeling totally free

It wasn't so long ago when early explorers crossed this forbidden land

saved from perishing on journey by roaming Aboriginal's guiding hand

with their intimate knowledge of finding precious water, some shade

explorers, disillusioned gave up hope, some finally journey's end made

A jewel on the West Coast . . .

It was by mere chance discovering this jewel going down narrow track

never seemed to reach end, anticipating vista awaiting, didn't want to turn back

discovering it, of which the locals, in their wisdom, they certainly don't boast

a place to escape fast pace, humdrum of polluted city, yet so close, on the coast

Beautifully eroded limestone cliffs, standing amongst clear water lapping shore

undulating dunes, pristine beach, here and there a shipwreck, adding to decor

this is a place, although close to suburbia, one can relax, it will always be there

Pt Peron, at back door of city, waiting to be discovered, unparalelled anywhere

Whenever there, new discoveries are bound to be made, maybe in rock pool

or when meandering along myriad dune bush tracks, in summer shady and cool

one could encounter spectacle of Sea-eagles soaring high up in cloudless sky

maybe just sit down and let the beautiful landscape, for later, fill mind's eye

Going fishing off rocks, being careful where one steps, not catching any fish

didn't seem to matter, absorbing and surrounded by nature, what utter bliss

the impressive drama of changing colours of mirror images in water of rocks

one can almost tell the time of day, nature providing it's own time clocks

At night the enchantment of silvery moonlight, over limestone cliffs and bay

to be here forever, why leave, holding one spellbound, whether night or day

in winter would be even more dramatic, swell of huge waves battering reef

to weary sailors full of dangers, shipwrecks, testimony of having come to grief

The sky, cliffs, beach all turning red, ocean looks like pool of blood at sunset

maybe at end of some bush track, a similar jewel waits to be discovered yet

within our Australia, unbeknown to most, may be many more such places

depending on time of year, you too can experience, see nature's many faces