Ownerless Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD CECE FGFG HIHI HDHD JKJK CLCL MNMN OPOP EQER ASASHe comes when the gullies are wrapped in the gloaming | A |
And limelights are trained on the tops of the gums | B |
To stand at the sliprails awaiting the homing | A |
Of one who marched off to the beat of the drums | B |
- | |
So handsome he looked in the putties and khaki | C |
Light hearted he went like a youngster to play | D |
But why comes he never to speak to his Darkie | C |
Around at the rails at the close of the day | D |
- | |
And why have the neighbours foregathered so gently | C |
Their horses a doze at the fence in a row | E |
And what are they talkin' of softly intently | C |
And why are the women folk lingering so | E |
- | |
One hand soft and small that so often caressed him | F |
Was trembling just now as it fondled his head | G |
But what was that trickling warm drop that distressed him | F |
And what were those heart broken words that she said | G |
- | |
Ne'er brighter the paddocks that bushmen remember | H |
The green and the gold and the pink have displayed | I |
When Spring weaves a wreath for the brows of September | H |
Enrobed like a queen and a blush like a maid | I |
- | |
The gums are a shoot and the wattles a cluster | H |
The cattle are roaming the ranges astray | D |
But why are they late with the hunt and the muster | H |
And why is the black horse unsaddled to day | D |
- | |
Hard by at the station the training commences | J |
In circles they're schooling the hacks for the shows | K |
The high mettled hunters are sent at the fences | J |
And satins and dapples the brushes disclose | K |
- | |
Sound winded and fit and quite ready is Darkie | C |
Impatient to strip for the sprint and the flight | L |
But what can he keeping the rider in khaki | C |
And why does the silence hang heavy to night | L |
- | |
Ah surely he'll come when the waiting is ended | M |
To fly the stiff fences and take him in hand | N |
Blue ribboned once more and three quarters extended | M |
Hard held for the cheers from the fence and the stand | N |
- | |
Still there can the cross beam the saddle hangs idle | O |
The cobweb around the loose stirrup is spun | P |
The rust's on the spurs and the dust on the bridle | O |
And gathering mould on the badges he won | P |
- | |
We'll take the old horse to the paddocks tomorrow | E |
Where grasses are waving breast high on the plain | Q |
And there with the clean skins we'll turn him in sorrow | E |
And muster him never ah never again | R |
- | |
The bush bird will sing when the shadows are creeping | A |
A sweet plaintive note soft and clear as a bell's | S |
Oh would it might ring where the bush boy is sleeping | A |
And colour his dreams by the far Dardanelles | S |
John O'brien
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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