Competition

Highly Commended

Consequential Silence
by Terri Keevers
Terranora, NSW

The baby boy opens his eye's, breathes his first breath
A world so new, so loud, welcomes him
He opens his mouth to squeal in joy - but hesitates -
As a hushed finger falls to his lips.
Beyond this hand his father's rigid body waits
A hint of smile the revelation of his emotions
The significant glint in each others eyes speaks of their bond
But between them the world falls silent.

5 years pass and crawls turn to walks
The schoolyard calls just ahead of him
He turns on his heels to embrace his father - but hesitates -
As a hand reaches down to pat his shoulder.
His whispered farewell is left to float on the breeze
As his fathers car escapes the parking lot
But the pride in their eyes displays their true feelings
And they disperse, separating in silence.

The boy becomes a man
As his graduation comes to pass, his certificates in hand
He looks towards his father ready to announce his glory - but hesitates -
For he knows better. A nod of approval bends his way
His father's acknowledgement of all that has cometo pass
And with a quiet smile on their lips
Each turns, and leads away in silence.

The man now sits alone
A silver pistol resting coolly in the palm of his hand
The trigger pulled, he knows where to aim.
The terrible sounds that follow, fall upon deaf ears
As the last slither of his life drips to the floor.

And a father stands and watches
As his son’s casket joins the ground
The soft falling tears reveal his deepest regrets
And in a moment of weakness he allows loud groans to weep from his mouth
- but hesitates -
As he turns to see what could only be a dream
A small baby boy, a ghost on the breeze
With a hushed finger raised to his lips.
And a father mourns, and listens, as the world around him fall silent.

Highly Commended

“Too Country”
by Stacey Beumer
Laidley, Qld

We all make mistakes, this I know is true.
I once made a big mistake by ever liking you.
Little do you know, revenge is on my mind,
I won't rest until I win, that's true I think you'll find.

You say that I'm too country, that I'm not your sort of chick.
I'm gonna have to prove you right, I'm a bad-ass country hick.
With my big dogs and a shotgun, no real reason to forgive,
You'll soon regret the day you said that country's unattractive.

Apparently I'm too country, 'cause I wore a wide-brimmed hat.
You're judging by appearances, what kind of fool does that?
The same fool who'll come begging, crawling on all fours.
You'll rue the day you rejected me, now I'II never be yours.

You say that I’m too country, that I’m not your sort of chick,
I’m gonna have to prove you right, I’m a bad-ass country hick
With my big dogs and a shotgun, no real reason to forgive,
You’ll soon regret the day you said that country’s unattractive.

If your goal was to insult me, and feel just like a man,
It didn’t work, I’m proud as punch; too country is who I am.

I agree that I'm too country, but still a real cool chick,
Eventually I proved you right, I'm a bad-ass country hick.
With my big dogs and a shotgun, no intention to forgive,
No guy will ever dare to say, that country's unattractive.

Yeah I'm too country and attractive.