Old Beauty

In the quiet field, an ancient giant stands,

Its roots are deep-set in red, sun-baked sands.

Its canopy spread wide, both wild and free,

The grand old limbs of the eucalyptus tree.

Its bark peels back in ribbons, rough and long,

Whispers to the wind with a gentle song.

Musky leaves in clusters twist and sway,

Catching the light in a dance with the day.

Parrots nest in its branches, colourful and bright,

While koalas feast in the cradle of night.

A scent of citrus and earth drifts on the breeze,

Carrying stories of the outback with ease.

Its trunk is marked by time’s subtle hand,

A witness to life on this ancient land.

Steady and strong, through drought and rain,

It stands as a symbol of endurance and pain.

Under the southern stars, it reaches high,

A guardian of the land and the sky.