burke and wills
aussie explorers
exhausted and starving
poor buggers
planning on reuniting
with the group waiting
for them with supplies
arrived in the evening
of april 21st 1861
at Coopers Creek
months overdue
everyone had gone
the team had left at 10 am
that very morning
unable to wait any longer
carving out DIG on the tree
where they had buried
a few supplies
australian history had
a sliding doors moment
needless to say the DIG tree
has managed to survive
as part of our heritage
sadly burke and wills perished
their expedition doomed
they did not make it back
fate played her hand
she was not on their side that day
blows hot and cold
Midweek Motif - Poets United
Heeding Haiku with Chevrefeuille - MLMM
Ah, fate! The DIG tree survives though it failed in its mission, and those whose reunion was not to be? Seems we have their stories too. Tragic that they would not know.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting tale, so often success and failure turn on such a small margin. I enjoyed your poem, thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteOh so sad the team had left that same day. Perhaps the two didnt have the strength to dig. Such are the vagaries of fate.
ReplyDeleteThis part of Aussie history has always fascinated and saddened me. Fate is hot and cold indeed.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting bit of Aussie history. I'll be looking up more of the story. Thank yoU!
ReplyDeleteI like your poem here. It's thoughtful and informative. Great write.
ReplyDeleteWhew! This was quite a tale.
ReplyDeleteYes, so ironic! It deserved a poem; good on you.
ReplyDeleteI never expected a historical take on the prompt. This one is both fascinating and tragic. Thanks for a glimpse into your country's history.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad story but I'm glad you wrote this as well as a tribute for them.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad indeed but the explorers have been immortalized. Nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteThe "Dig" tree. I want to read more. Google, here I come. Thanks, Rall!
ReplyDelete