Dreaded Dry Days

Lily Amato

Love Conquers Drought

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POOR

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FARMERS

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Dreaded Days for these farmers that are experiencing the worst of the drought.

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“When we talk about traditional ‘Country’…we mean something beyond the dictionary definition of the word. For Aboriginal Australians…we might mean homeland, or tribal or clan area and we might mean more than just a place on the map. For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains. While they may all no longer necessarily be the title-holders to land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still connected to the Country of their ancestors and most consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land.”
(Professor Mick Dodson)

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Therefore I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

As the author of 'Dreaded Dry Days' , I would like to share with you the effects of drought on our farmers and on our rural communities and how it has impacted families emotionally and physically.

Currently, Australia has various regions that are in significant drought. Our regions are drier than ever and as a nation we come together to support our local farmers and their families who provide our fresh produce for our cities.

Lily Amato

Dreaded Dry Days

Drip, drop, drip, drop.
The dams are dry and so are our sores.
Outside, the ground separates into uneven blocks
But our minds collect our sadness and hopes.

Hopes of rain - torrential rain.
Rain that rarely comes.
Rain that would wash our worries away and
Bring food to the mouths of our young

Water me, water me! The soils yell out,
No water comes out from the sprout.
Dry as a bone, no drip or drop,
We head for a dreaded dry drought.

Stalks stiff and lands dry
Thirsty trees and no flowers waving goodbye
Talks of rain and happy cows
Were all just a fairytale.

Kangaroos licking gaps of the dry ground
Hoping to be lucky enough to find a drip or drop.
Farmers look on helplessly as life for them fades.
No food no water no chance of rain.

Families are struggling everyday
No more fun barbecue's, no more play,
No more taking the kids out for a day.

The bank accounts as dry as the crops.
No money to survive
Our companies appear to fail
Without reason of why.

Farmers , animals, people.
No water, no food.
Where has all the water gone?
Where is the rain to wash out our pain?

Tears drip and drop
Right above from the top
'YAY!' they all yell
But is it enough to fill a well?

Commotion in the sky
We pray that it doesn't die
Then it comes, the rain from the sky.
Dead silence fills our mind.

Prayer after prayer we begin to subside
Our eyes water with pride
Finally we can leave it all behind

Lily Amato