I met Ray Mc Alary a poet who is writing a book to raise funds for the local Fire Brigades. He asked me to to include my student's artwork. So of course I jumped at the opportunity. My year 5 students read various poems including: Around the Campfire
It's a cool Winter's night, the air is so still,
My friends and I camp on the ridge,
By the light of the moon we can see the next hill
And below there's the river and bridge.
We build up the fire with timber that's dry,
We'll need to keep warm through the night,
I look up above at the clear starry sky
Then back at the embers so bright.
We cook up some food, a big pot of stew,
Potatoes we place in hot coals,
I love meals like this, I've had quite a few,
The smell of the food warms our souls.
When the food is all gone it is time for a song
While the billy boils gently away,
Our favourite songs we will sing loud and long,
A beautiful end to the day.
We hear the night birds as they call to their mates
And the sounds of the possums above,
It's time to forget all our fears and our hates,
This is the time that we love.
The great Aussie bush is a wonderful place
To relax with a close group of friends,
As the warmth of the fire takes the cold from your
face
It's a comfort that just never ends.
Ray McAlary
Copyright © 17 July 1999
They responded to the poems by drawing in pencil. Most of the poems depicted the Australian climate.
