Bushman.(Poem)

 
BUSHMAN 
 
   I sent a message through the smoke * 
   two years ago the old bushman said, over the back yard fence. 
   To old Joe, right up the Top End 
   of Cape York peninsula. 
   And as he spoke tears formed in his eyes. 
 
   I wanted him to make me a didgeridoo. 
   I sent a message through the smoke 
   two years ago the emotion in his voice 
   earnest and powerful. 
   It arrived this morning with a note 
   tied to it with a piece of string. 
   From Joe to Joe. 
 
   Saying this he lifted it up 
   from where it was propped against the tin 
   on his side of the fence. 
   The sun striking its polished red colouring. 
   Its magnificence. 
 
   His totem was the lizard he said, as he held it out 
   for me to hold. 
   There were two carved into the wood. 
   Their scaly backs painted red and green. 
   His spirit is inside 
   since Joe has died. I sent a message through the smoke 
   two years ago. 
 
   And as I stood here in the dirt 
   holding the didgeridoo in both ...