PICKINGS

Poetry from NHI publications

MY FATHER
I hope he would be satisfied If he could see the country now. The young trees stand beside the ride: Although we've not a single cow. If he could see the country now He'd know we've done just as he'd wish. Although we've not a single cow The chain of ponds are stocked with fish. He'd know we've done just as he'd wish. The irrigation's stronger now The ponds that still are full of fish Are dimpled by the willow boughs. The irrigation's stronger now. The ponds he stocked so long ago Are dimpled by the willow boughs. On to the land the water flows. The ponds he stocked so long ago; The young trees stand beside the ride; On to the land the water flows: I hope he would be satisfied.
GILLIAN BENCE-JONES

MY FATHER

I hope he would be satisfied
If he could see the country now.
The young trees stand beside the ride:
Although we've not a single cow.

If he could see the country now
He'd know we've done just as he'd wish.
Although we've not a single cow
The chain of ponds are stocked with fish.

He'd know we've done just as he'd wish.
The irrigation's stronger now
The ponds that still are full of fish
Are dimpled by the willow boughs.

The irrigation's stronger now.
The ponds he stocked so long ago
Are dimpled by the willow boughs.
On to the land the water flows.

The ponds he stocked so long ago;
The young trees stand beside the ride;
On to the land the water flows:
I hope he would be satisfied.

GILLIAN BENCE-JONES

from
Ostrich Creek
ISBN 0 903610 22 1

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This page last updated: 24th November 2005.