Poems by Mike Gilmour

Spirit of Wattle

A land of many nations, with a multitude of voices
Where all are equal, free to follow dreams and lifestyle choices
Arrivals always welcome, with solutions clear and vital
And all are free to speak their mind, not fearing harsh reprisal

A country often breached by fire, long drought or flooding river
Not doubting its resilience, locals start afresh with vigor
Our forebears battled challenges, with trust in life’s equation
All shape the mateship creed and spirit that proclaims our nation

Our wattle, always sturdy through climatic devastations
And always set for growth, come drenching rain and inundations
And quick in Spring, to flourish its enduring floral splendour
With bursting buds of green and gold, for us to greet and tender

Acacia’s hardy species, found in sandy stony outback’s
With green beside our waterways, and shade on sunny backtracks
While lightly scented blossoms, emanate a gentle aura
The sprays of green create a graceful charm to golden flora

Our wattle, found in many foods and early cures for ailments
And proudly worn by sporting teams, with dreams of grand attainments
And rousing troops to stand and fight, and bravely guard our freedom
For victories in Green and Gold, we thank’em with good reason

Our wattle, sold in times before, by Wattle Day foundations
For scholarships to gifted locals, seeking higher stations
To help and heal our diggers, missing limbs and minds in trauma
And care for people battling mental illness, striving order

With Aussie pride and spirit, stimulating high achievers
And Golden Wattle prize awards, to honour noble leaders
Now, golden wattle on our Coat of Arms, post Federation
To light and guide this free, diverse and independent nation

Mike Gilmour 6 August 2020 © mgilmour92@gmail.com

Plant a Wattle

Plant a wattle
to welcome the sparkle of Spring,
to snap the Winter chill with acacia’s glow and zing.

Wattle, that resilient, lusty legume loading nitrogen to soil,
for plants and trees to grow and green again.

Wattle’s shelter, screens and wind belts for retreat,
with seeds to feed the parrots and the Lorikeets,
and plied with protein-rich pollen for birds and bees.

Wattles welcome pruning to re-energise, to grow free
Furnishing fuel to flames in campfires and bbq’s.
Wattles, the green and gold our Olympians imbue

Wattle Will I do in Winter

What to do on a Brisbane Winter’s Day in the sun
Try a walk amongst wattle blossoms that stun
Sparking in the sunlight with their green and gold,
For all in Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens to behold.
Lambs Tails, Zig Zags, Silver Wattles, Golden Wattles in bloom
And more with buds ready to burst from the Winter gloom.