2023 Poetry

Winner 2023: ‘Horses ARE poetry’

By Jayne Murphy

I’m a child of the seventies…
it wasn’t THAT long ago
But things were different then
Maybe better, you know?

Just be home by dark
In time for dinner at the table
Make sure you wash your hands
And leave those boots back in the stable!

At our house, after dinner, it was only books we had
And my favourite bedtime story was
The Man From Snowy River
Read to me by my dad

Screen time
was what we saved pocket money for
at the cinema! The Man From Snowy River
was the first movie I ever saw

I loved how poetry had been brought to life
Across that giant silver screen
So I decided to become a teacher
and take poetry to teens

I hate poetry.

Well how about we read a book?
Use your imagination, kids
No need for that Miss, look
On our phones – we’ve got NetFlix

Right then, a short story
Lawson’s The Loaded Dog – you’ve read it?
Yeah Miss, but it’s not short, the dog’s not rich
And, well, I just don’t get it.

So I tried to make things fun with an excursion to the beach
Breathe in the atmosphere class and capture it in a poem
Then a kid pipes up, good onya Miss,
I’ll take a selfie on my i-phone.

I hate poetry.

Alright. I love a sunburnt country…
There’s a metaphor in that
Aw Miss, if the country just used sunscreen
Or maybe wore a hat…

OK some Banjo Paterson…
There was movement at the station
Aw Miss, that’s what my pop says
after he’s had constipation

Well sometime by the end of term
We’ve got to cover structure
and how punctuation changes pace
Semi colon. What? Miss; that’s just a winky face.

I hate poetry.

If every time I heard that, I had a five buck note
Guaranteed by now I’d have a REALLY fancy float.

Now I hate poetry!!!

Then I came to Weddin Mountain
And a light bulb flashed inside my head
Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, Dorothea Mackellar
None of them were dead.

Because…
Horses. Are. Poetry.

To understand poetic banter
Like metre, rhythm, rhyme
Just feel the walk, the trot, the canter
As the horse keeps his own time

And to learn about visual imagery
Without tantrums and tears
You can see the world so clearly
From between a horse’s ears

To truly get what is meant
by “movement at the station”
Try being saddled up by 8.15
Forget the Melbourne Cup – THIS is the race that stops the nation!

Yep, horses are poetry.

So I have a great idea – Bec, and the committee
For next year’s Weddin Mountain Muster
Can I bring 30 Year 8 kids from the city?

Runner-Up 2023: ‘For Fat Snakes’

By Carol Files

Just up the road - 496 km to be exact
Grenfell is hosting a muster, so let’s go do that!

We’ve never done one like this before.
You never know, it could be good, we could come back for more.

1000 k’s to go to drop off the precious cargo,
only to hit a whopping roo and smash up the front of my brand-new Prado.

We come here early to get a good spot.
Oh great neighbours they better not start any rot!

Robin, Mel, Willis and Robert are just to name a few.
They’ve now joined to the B team and are part of the crew.

The crew come over for a laugh and a drink.
Storytelling got too much for Willis he couldn’t even speak.

The circle got bigger oh my god, what’s that sound?
Oh, it’s just you to ferris wheel and merry-go-round.

Don’t be alarmed the carnival wasn’t on.
It’s just them two nags belonging to John

The scenery, the country. Oh, what a beautiful view!
Could sit here for hours. Just having a few…

We got fed along the way up hills or where it’s flat.
The food was amazing. How about that.

Tea, coffee and cakes galore!
How do we get skinny when they keep feeding us more?

27K trek on the first day.
Most people behaved - only a few had things to say

Keep to the left, two abreast.
Some people got it, but what about the rest???

The Township parade, although not that far,
it was such a shame they put down that new tar.

Walking the streets of Grenfell in our best attire,
I hope the prize is good enough for someone to retire.

The Committee should be proud of the trails and their view,
except for one name Sally, telling us to go to the far-que.

Breakfast was the best cooked by the Grenfell PonyClub.
Our tummies were so full. They could definitely outdo the pub.

Friendships were made, addresses exchanged.
Sorry crew, but I am now drained.

The journey is complete without getting a sore bum.
110 total kilometres - it’s definitely time for some cold rum.

But before we could make it happen there just had to be a dirty brown snake.
We had to use a shovel as we couldn’t find a rake.

For fat snakes!

The Government got it wrong when naming Victoria the place to be,
Grenfell New South Wales. You certainly won me!

The Committee Horse

By Ashleigh Leibick

The committee horse:
Strong, fit and smart.
They carry our trail boss
and they've got a lot of heart.

They stand still
as we move stray wire.
They go all day
and rarely do they tire.

Horses jig and they jog by their side,
but watch for those red tails -
by them,
you must past wide.

They travel the paths less travelled,
bush bashing machines.
Steady on their feet
but sometimes full of beans.

The trail boss horse
is a special kind, you see,
they put up with so much more
than your average pony.

The lead horses
following that GPS device.
Leading the riders on their way
to that delicious vanilla slice

Then there's the runners -
they have an interesting life!
Running up and down the group,
keeping riders out of strife.

You've got the floaters,
the bulk of the crew.
Up for a chat,
and always there to help you.

Then the tail end Charlies,
they are a laid back kind.
Happy to meander along
and enjoy the ride.

They have a tough job
there at the back.
Dealing with the joggers
and a dust filled track.

To the left to the left!
They hear their riders shout.
They say to get everyone home safely,
of this we have no doubt.

The muster is not where
their work starts and ends,
they do pre-rides through out the year
to get you safely from am to pm.

The committee horse:
Strong, fit and smart.
They lead our muster
and have one hell of a heart ❤

Grenfell 2023

By Maria Morton

What an opportunity we have to come to Grenfell and ride our trusty steeds.
They don’t live rough with new stables, green grass and plenty of rich feeds.

We have accommodation in all shapes and sizes, from open floats to caravans galore.
Some sleeping on spring mattress’s some on the floor.

Those that came early can enjoy the Grenfell Picnic Races.
First the painting of our toes all the way up to our faces.

We got dressed to the nines with our beautiful attire, dress and hat.
We found a table and chairs in the shade and that’s were we sat.

Jumping up to place our bets and see the horses run.
It was a day of drinks, laughter and so much fun.

Did you see Brian in his pink jockey shirt from Lowes?
That shows you anything goes!

On Sunday night the Regos began.
Find a table in the hall wherever you can.

Sit and look at your Merchandise you ordered so long ago.
Out come the shirts, hats, jackets with the proud Muster logo.

Get the drink out and the nibbles too.
Don’t forget the cans and bottles so you can have a few!

The raffle tickets are sold and people are generous with their money.
Did you see all the halters, rugs, shirts and local honey?

Robyn sold little crochet flowers, wear them with pride.
How lovely to see them pinned to bridles on the ride.

The first day of riding started at 8.15am at the gate.
Stewards rode round to make sure you weren’t late.

’Come on’ they cried to make sure you were there.
That was enough to make everyone stir.

The speeches were done and off we all walked.
Shouting our numbers out as we all talked.

The best year I have seen for well behaved horses on Day 1 as we began.
Riding to the left and only 2 horses abreast we could span.

Well done everyone, as the 2023 Muster begins.
New friends, old friends, smiles on faces and grins.

The weather was great during the day.
A little too hot though others would say.

Before we knew Wednesday was here.
Who would think that oldies like us would dress up in kids gear?

Out same a knight in shining armour.
Clowns, toy story including spiderman, brides and much more.

The 3 Amigos with their chant.
The 3 Musketeers with their moto ‘One For All and All for One’.

Kids lined the kerbs with joy in their eyes.
To see their favourite character come alive.

Back to the showground we paraded our wares.
To leave our dress up to become keen competitors.

In the Gymkana the adults didn’t stand much chance.
With the kids on their ponies to the finish they did prance.

We thank you Grenfell Pony Club for letting them feel young again.
Although their bodies did the workout and we felt the pain.

The days have been glorious but getting hotter as they pass by.
Too hot for me you can hear me cry.

I’ve chickened out on the last few days.
I’ve gone out the back and only done 5 Ks.

It’s time now to say Goodbye and as they say when you enjoy,
Doesn’t time fly?