Kathy has made the excellent suggestion that we publish some of the poems the Historical Association of Halls Gap holds. This issue we have two: first a poem taken from a book entitled Caravan of Dreams by Lindsay Russell, 1923, printed at the ‘Express Office’ Terang. Then the words of a recent song, as heard on the CD produced after the 2006 fires.
h2. Bellfield Peak
bq. Over Bellfield Peak the sunset glows,
An ocean of color that ebbs and flows
Daffodil, lilac, turquoise and rose,
In a glory too sweet to last; ==
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And out from the changing sea of the sky
The sailing-ships of the clouds go by;
O, never in land-locked harbour will lie
This fleet, nor an anchor cast! ==
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Stately and slowly they drift from sight,
In the flaring torch of the last red light,
Ere dusk comes swiftly, and gray twilight,
And the great hills huddle behind night’s bars; ==
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Laughter and music drift from below,
With scent of wisteria all ablow!
The mountains glimmer with pale moonglow,
And Bellfield Peak is crowned with stars.
*Lindsay Russell*
h2. Anthem for Gariwerd
bq. Ah – — – – – – – Gariwerd ==
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These mountains stand shoulder to shoulder
Massive uplift held in stone
Lift your heart – and look and listen
Here is a wonderland ==
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The old ones walked here in days of ice
They found shelter in hollowed stone
They saw Bunjil – over-riding
Like an eagle circling high and slow ==
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We also stand – shoulder to shoulder
One with plant and beast and bird
And the songlines tell the story
Of the Grampians – Gariwerd ==
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Sing – the mornings, crisp and fair, early bird-songs slice the air
Round the cliffs the echoes ring, every wild thing wakes and sings
Sunrise turns rocks to rose, every eastern rock-face glows
Live, alive, a heartbeat heard – alive in Grampians Gariwerd ==
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Sing – the days of scented peace, perfume nectar sweet release
Wildflower courting insect wing, snowy thryptomene has its fling
Cascades laughing tumble down, flowing water for lowland towns
Live, alive, a heartbeat heard –alive in Grampians Gariwerd ==
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Flick and flutter in the twilight haze, gentle wallabies come to graze
Feeding, foraging, feathers and fur, in leaf litter the lizards stir
Flocks of cockatoos rise and fall, wok-a-wok wattle-birds cackle and call
Insect, animal, reptile, bird – alive in Grampians Gariwerd ==
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Sing the horizon blue on blue, rugged skyline breathless view
Noble slope, the sweeping range
O how swift the mood can change
Twist and crack in gale force winds, forest buckles as the storm drives in
Wild and wilful heartbeat stirred – pulse of the Grampians Gariwerd ==
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Deep the valleys filled with cloud, rays of sunshine pierce the shroud
Hard times come, dreams can burn, hold together till joy returns
All who hear the mountains song, all who love this place belong
Live, alive, heartbeat heard – alive in Grampians Gariwerd
*© Fay White 2006 in partnership with Community Association of Hall’s Gap*