Garth Dutton

Winter Rain – A Poem

We have a problem in this State of South Australia with soursobs and Salvation Jane.

A lot of locals regard them as wild flowers and hate them. Most tourists, however regard them as wildflowers and come here in droves to see them in flower.

I am not sure if the S.A. Tourist Bureau describes them with one word or two in their brochures and literature. Perhaps I should send them a copy of the poem and ask them.

Winter Rain
© Garth Dutton 2004

Listen to the rain, the winter rain,
as it falls on the iron roof.
It’s been a week now
and it has only occasionally stopped.
Farm dams are full
and creeks are overflowing.
Listen to the rain, the winter rain.

Listen to the rain, the winter rain.
Hens scurry for shelter from a heavier shower
and retreat to the dryness of the henhouse.
Listen to the rain, the winter rain.

Listen to the rain, the winter rain.
and think of fields
all yellow with soursobs,
and semi-desert hills
all purple with Salvation Jane.
Not beauty in the eyes of many,
but weeds of the ploughed land and pasture.
Wild flowers,
not yet wildflowers.
Listen to the rain, the winter rain.

Tags: adelaide, garth dutton, poem, poet, Poetry, salvation jane, soursobs

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