Two Star Hotel

On a date filled with tragic glories, rose a nation built on stories
born from courage on that Landing far away
The spirit to rise above, when it’s your country that you love
the trapped miners would have felt it in some way

There was no panic as they ran with survival as their plan
filled with thoughts of shattered families up above
Gods hand calmly swept away embracing Larry Knight that day
His family will hold again the one they love

The rescuers sad discovery they were only on ‘recovery’
in the silence of that tomb they dug away
Daily in the dark so deep suffering surely from lack of sleep
it was hope that made them want to stay

Then they heard a call from heaven, t’was a miracle on day seven
somehow they’d made it through the grey
Grown men had started bawling for they’d heard voices calling
a rescue made official now under way

Guided by Gods choice the world was told they’d heard a voice
the call went up that Todd and Brant were still alive
All the relies surely trembled and they very soon assembled
Families said they knew ‘they’ would survive

The whole country was excited and I was so personally delighted
that I threw me morning cuppa everywhere
With the news so wonderfully big that I actually danced a jig
as I yelled “you beaudy” into the morning air
Two “Beccy” boys were found caged together beneath the ground
Russel and Webby were alive there was no doubt
On the night of the seventh day we first heard what they had to say
“it’s F…N cold and cramped in her so get us out”

To the world they calmly spoke with just the hint of a joke
what their life was like inside that tiny cage
With no mention of the smell, they laughed and with a yell
“This ‘Two Star Hotel’ will soon be all the rage”

Just sixteen meters solid the rock had landed like a bollard
the boys were told how far it was to dig
“Show the riggers where to go; we’re miners so we know
that it takes a lot to stabilise a rig”

Calmly they accepted a quick rescue had been rejected
digging fourteen meters by machinery had begun
Last two meters inch by inch no one thought it was a synch
two anxious men filled with dreams of summer sun

With the hourly risk of cramp in a place so dark and damp
our hopes played on tapes from up above
Let them know that we’re all here and we’re ready with a cheer
Two familles on the edge so full of love

Dining on bacon and eggs they tried to fill those hollow legs
Thru the pipe they must’ve added 20 pound
The drillers thought they oughta add a smidgen to the orga
Since those boys were eatin pretty sound

Beaconsfield’s people cam together in the face of stormy weather
a town united stood with God by their side
On tender hooks we all waited for the rescue so hotly anticipated
together we all hoped’n’ prayed and cried

With emotions up and down the clock slowly ticking round
focus was on the lives they had to save
The medic’s were most delighted with the vitals that were sighted
Working tirelessly, the rescuers, became the brave

The world’s cameras were all there, for it was hard not to stare
we all had put ourselves inside their place
One journalist we all know who was down there from the go
no longer will we see poor Richards face

He was no stranger to pain or strife as it was the story of his life
with a note from him it all would sadly end
“Live a healthy life” was the last words he would write
then he handed back a little girl her pen

Day fourteen had begun with their freedom nearly won
every local was up there ready for the show
they’d washed’n’cleaned ‘n’dressed and I must say they looked their best
“Where’s our families?” what they wanted first to know

Then they walked out onto the dock, heading straight toward the clock
a couple of true larrikins you’d have to say
“This is surley gonna cost ya, for we’ve overworked our roster,
and we’ll send the barrows back for our pay”

The happy huggin had begun the families knew a lottery they had won
the children got to hold again their Dad
I was up before the dawn joining an Aussie town out on the lawn
Feelin ten feet tall and mighty glad

Tears flowed for miles’n’miles, drowned only by all our smiles
The town had got their mates back home again
Emotions filled the nation and I thanked God for the creation
Of the ANZAC spirit started way back when

So leave the politicking aside and show the world our Aussie pride
mate for mate and never falter to the call
Diggers had their lives to give so that we may be free to live
Love your country and its people one and all.

COPYRIGHT POETRY IN PARADISE. REG TRADEMARK NO. 1028534
JEFFREY.N.GOUDY 10/05/06

Home is where you make it. Irene Conner 27/06/09

I wander through the outback in the confines of my mind
re-visiting the memories my life has left behind;
re-visiting the grandeur of our dry, red dusty land
where beauty holds you captive anywhere that you may stand.

I feel a twinge of sadness now I walk another track
as still its’ spirit calls me, but I’m never going back
for now I walk the city streets and hear the traffic roar,
and listen to my neighbours as they chat away next door.

I’m nearer to the Doctors - now I’m getting frail and old,
and to my city grandkids – now our station land is sold,
and though I thought I’d always roam the bush until I die,
I’m finding there’s a beauty in this place where I now lie.

For beauty lies within the eye of those who care to see
beyond the thoughts of places where they wish that they could be.
I’m looking past the traffic, and the never ending streets
and finding in the crowds a pulsing core that always beats.

Just as I loved the spirit that I found out in the bush
I’m finding something special in the crowded city push.
I find the hand of friendship is extended still to me;
and smiles can light the saddest face if given out for free.

The touch of human kindness feeds the homeless on the street
as city folk provide a little spot where they can eat.
That great Australian mateship can be found in any crowd;
in the bush or in the city – how it makes this old man proud.

The sun still paints a picture as it settles in the west –
with buildings silhouetted, we are still just nature’s guest.
And sunrise gilds our houses in its gentle golden glow
while plants delight our senses as the seasons ebb and flow.

Today I’m feeling happy for I’ve lived a blessed life;
I have my kids around me, and a loving, gentle wife.
I hunger not for outback trails, and clear blue skies above
for home is where you make it if you fill that home with love.

Irene Conner 27/06/09