After the Bushfires – new beginnings

 

A Crimson Rosella perching amongst new growth

February’s devastating bushfires inspired an unprecedented display of public generosity towards victims and charitable institutions involved in the relief effort. The tragedy has also prompted many people to write to The Lost Dogs’ Home about their experiences. Having been involved in rehabilitation activities for domestic animals affected by the fires, the Home has received mail from thousands of people including pet owners, firefighters, residents in the affected areas, donors and community members who simply wanted to share their stories and thank us.

As Victoria approaches the rebuilding stage, we continue to receive letters from the community, but with a distinct theme of new beginning.

We’d like to share this poem written, by Noela Young, expressing the return of life to burnt out areas.

After the bushfires

Slowly they come, after the fires
One by one they come
Silently watching

Any movement and they are gone
A flutter of colour
Against smoky sky

More frequently now
Two by two they come
Pecking silently, watching

They drink, look to the sky
Water spills from their beaks
They warble, drink again

Eating hungrily, they look around
No longer startled
Then eat again, calling the others

Swinging on branches
Upside down they swing
Pecking for the next turn

They sing as they dance across the branches,
Onto the balcony, into the bird bath
Wings flutter, water splashes

Tonight the sky is golden
The air clear
Bare branches burst into colour

Dozens of lorquets sing, the tree vibrates in song
A song as old as life itself
And yet, tonight…it is new!

Photography: Stella Reid