After the war was over ,
I returned to Australia and wed,
with severance pay to kick start,
we looked to be getting ahead .
We checked out this land in the country,
then borrowed to build our dream .
Proud owners were we of a cottage
in 500 acres green .
With seventy head of cattle,
and bottle fed yearlings to keep,
we worked day in and night out
sometimes without getting any sleep .
Then the kids all arrived on steps,
one after the other they came ,
but so did the drought that broke us,
and we had no insurance claim .
I prayed hard for a break in the weather ,
but it always looked the same ,
the blue sky had no silver lining ,
and no sign that it would rain .
Lord have mercy ,
they took everything that they could buy or sell.
We left our farm to the flies and the dust .
We said goodbye ,farewell !
Too hurt was I to work the land ,
t was a city job I found .
Though home was in the country,
to the city now we all were bound .
The job fell through in a week or two,
it was hard to pay the rent,
we looked for a cheaper house ,
but it was the same each place we went .
We had nothing and had no where to go.
We begged for charity .
I felt helpless .
My wife cried and I had to comfort her daily .
"Don't worry"I said
"In good time you'll find depression it does lift.
"The children started school,
the wife got a job-I worked the night shift .
Except for the love in our family,
all that I had was gone .
We walked everywhere together
as the soft summer sun shone .
We moved into a caravan
in the winter of a big freeze .
It took us a while to adapt,
but we all got used to the squeeze .
Each day at work I was treated like dirt
because I pulled my weight
I kept my nose clean all the time
in jobs I had grown to hate .
The heaviest cross I carried
was the long standing debt I bore ,
with years of hard work I cleared what I owed
then the wolf left the door .
Although it was easier to sleep
when my debts were all paid in full ,
thoughts at times did haunt me ,
I had to learn control,and keep my cool .
Each night as I closed my eyes ,
I returned back to a shattered dream ,
back to our country cottage
where the cattle gave only sour cream .
We left the van and moved into
a rented house in the suburbs
I cut the grass , dug a veggie patch
and grew lots of greens and herbs .
I found working with the dirt had a therapy,
but all the same ,
I kept thinking about all that land we left ,
time and time again .
The children grew up and were married
just as we hoped one day .
My wife and I wrinkled well,
our hair now was more silver than grey .
We settled down in this quiet home in the twilight yearsof life .
With the children gone we were alone ,
me and my good faithful wife .
Simple things in life come free,
like who you are and all that you know .
Common courtesy costs nothing
its just a smile or a hello.
Though these old bones of mine may ache
and break,
I sometimes find a smile ,
for it sure is a wonderful world
and we're only here a while .
I've started writing things down
as I forget things so easily ,
these days I don't know if there are jobs to be done ,sometimes I just can't see .
I can't hear that good either but both of us together understand .
I drift off to sleep still thinking
of the day we left the land .
It's hard to forget
were your roots have been set,
dust's stuck with the plough .
After drought and the famine no doubt ,
I feel down right hungry now .
I still thirst for water in the summer ,
and sweat rolls down my face
.As I sit down to feast
I always give thanks to God for his grace .
They say you must give to receive ,
I've gave my life to you .
I've taken the good and the bad,
and have loved somebody who's true .
So when my times has come to leave this world ,
all that I'll take is my soul ,
you won't see me for dust,
my remains bury deep down in a hole .

By Paul Mc Cann