Em Nau Farm BLOG

NOVEMBER is not called heartbreak month in the bush for nothing – it’s a time when early summer storms begin building on the horizon and lightning starts crackling in the heat of the afternoon.

It’s also a time when we watch anxiously at the build-up, hoping the storm has got our name on it, and trying not to feel too disappointed when it takes off in a different direction.

It’s likely to be the scenario for many people around Queensland over the next month as they await the drought break

Rain would be a welcome relief across Queensland.

I will digress a little as the talk of the build-up reminds me of when I was living in Darwin a few years back - This story eventuated during the "build-up" - for those who don't know the build up is when the dry season moves towards the wet season and the humidity is a killer - the storm clouds build up and just when you think the rain will come and stifle the heat they blow away and the humidity gets worse. Anyway I was lying on my bed at about midnight in that semi sleep you have on a hot night. I then heard what I thought was rain on the tin roof but in my stupor couldn't be sure. Then I heard this woo-hooing and yelping so I got up to investigate. I looked out the back window and low and behold my neighbour was dancing around in the first of the wet season rain - in the nude - enjoying the refreshing embrace of the cool water.

To this day I still haven't been able to sleep on a humid night with that sight being stuck in my head -and it is 16 years later.............but it did feel good to go out and join him (on my side of the fence of course)

Now back on subject - On Monday, Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh confirmed more than 62 per cent of Queensland is now in drought with the Balonne and Maranoa Council regions added to the growing list of drought declared areas in the State.

The number of local government areas now drought declared stands at 26, including six partially declared.

On our little piece of dirt the dams are near empty, the water tanks are well down and the chance of rain looks distant.  The past couple of years we have had the big storms in January with most of QLD flooding.  I don’t think we can wait that long for some decent rain to “green-up the grass” on Em Nau farm.

RAIN FROM NOWHERE

Listen To Poem Audio Version: http://www.murrayhartin.com/poem/RAIN%20FROM%20NOWHERE


His cattle didn’t get a bid, they were fairly bloody poor,
What was he going to do? He couldn’t feed them anymore,
The dams were all but dry, hay was thirteen bucks a bale,
Last month’s talk of rain was just a fairytale,
His credit had run out, no chance to pay what’s owed,
Bad thoughts ran through his head as he drove down Gully Road.

“Geez, great grandad bought the place back in 1898,
“Now I’m such a useless bastard, I’ll have to shut the gate.
“Can’t support my wife and kids, not like dad and those before,
“Crikey, Grandma kept it going while Pop fought in the war.”
With depression now his master, he abandoned what was right,
There’s no place in life for failures, he’d end it all tonight.

There were still some things to do, he’d have to shoot the cattle first,
Of all the jobs he’d ever done, that would be the worst.
He’d have a shower, watch the news, then they’d all sit down for tea
Read his kids a bedtime story, watch some more TV,
Kiss his wife goodnight, say he was off to shoot some roos
Then in a paddock far away he’d blow away the blues.

But he drove in the gate and stopped – as he always had
To check the roadside mailbox – and found a letter from his Dad.
Now his dad was not a writer, Mum did all the cards and mail
But he knew the writing from the notebooks that he’d kept from cattle sales,
He sensed the nature of its contents, felt moisture in his eyes,
Just the fact his dad had written was enough to make him cry.

“Son, I know it’s bloody tough, it’s a cruel and twisted game,
“This life upon the land when you’re screaming out for rain,
“There’s no candle in the darkness, not a single speck of light
“But don’t let the demon get you, you have to do what’s right,
“I don’t know what’s in your head but push the bad thoughts well away
“See, you’ll always have your family at the back end of the day

“You have to talk to someone, and yes I know I rarely did
“But you have to think about Fiona and think about the kids.
“I’m worried about you son, you haven’t rung for quite a while,
“I know the road you’re on ‘cause I’ve walked every bloody mile.
“The date? December 7 back in 1983,
“Behind the shed I had the shotgun rested in the brigalow tree.

“See, I’d borrowed way too much to buy the Johnson place
“Then it didn’t rain for years and we got bombed by interest rates,
“The bank was at the door, I didn’t think I had a choice,
“I began to squeeze the trigger – that’s when I heard your voice.
“You said ‘Where are you Daddy? It’s time to play our game’
“’ I’ve got Squatter all set up, we might get General Rain.’

“It really was that close, you’re the one that stopped me son,
“And you’re the one that taught me there’s no answer in a gun.
“Just remember people love you, good friends won’t let you down.
“Look, you might have to swallow pride and take that job in town,
“Just ’til things come good, son, you’ve always got a choice
“And when you get this letter ring me, ’cause I’d love to hear your voice.”

Well he cried and laughed and shook his head then put the truck in gear,
Shut his eyes and hugged his dad in a vision that was clear,
Dropped the cattle at the yards, put the truck away
Filled the troughs the best he could and fed his last ten bales of hay.
Then he strode towards the homestead, shoulders back and head held high,
He still knew the road was tough but there was purpose in his eye.

He called his wife and children, who’d lived through all his pain,
Hugs said more than words – he’d come back to them again,
They talked of silver linings, how good times always follow bad,
Then he walked towards the phone, picked it up and rang his Dad.
And while the kids set up the Squatter, he hugged his wife again,
Then they heard the roll of thunder and they smelt the smell of rain.