Ghost Moon Shadows by Ben Eggleton follows a weary traveller into a dream where the shadows of the past can no longer remain hidden.
At a misty bend in the river, a quiet stranger waits beside a campfire with a mug of rum and some hard-won wisdom. Inspired by a dream shared by Dan Sillins, the poem explores the burdens we carry—and the strength found in finally casting them away.
Ghost Moon Shadows
By Ben Eggleton
I have Wandered here and there
Over years of wearied travels
But still the travelling is not done
As into my pillows my brain doth fade
Sleep claims the weary travellers mind
The fantasy then stands in refrain
In that refrain the mists clear
It’s then in clarity I find
I have been down to the bend
That bend in the river where souls
Rest easy in peaceful and tranquil light
To rise again with power to stand alone
At that bend in the river there rests
A man, sitting, by a fire, in quiet contemplation
His hands clasped around a mug of rum
My footsteps turned his head, blue eyes smiling
“Been waiting for you son, pull up a log
There are words to you must be said”
“Son, there are shadows in your past
that only you know who they are
For they crawl around the shadowed walls
Of your wearied miles, skulking in recesses
That only you can cast away
Those demons you never want or need”
“Son,” he said, “you can fish anywhere here
But a shiver is all you will catch
Till you cast those skulking shadows away
Tear down those shadowed walls
When that ghost moon comes, blanket it away”
With that he stood, scoffed his rum, walked into the mist
The fantasy at an end, the Refrain dimmed
Refreshed, I awoke to an early morning light
The brain reappeared to a newly wakened moment
As the ghost moon shadows slicked away.
Written upon request of Dan Sillins, chef at the North Laura Hotel in the Mid North of South Australia. He sent me from a dream the first two lines of verse 5.
Ben Eggleton ©
Keeping The Verse Alive
Ghost Moon Shadows is shared with permission from Ben Eggleton through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Ben Eggleton
Bush Poet • Songwriter • Storyteller
A passionate storyteller of rural Australia, Ben Eggleton has shared original poetry and music through recordings, performances and published works. Known as The Bard From The Scrub, his work helps preserve the people, places and traditions that shape country life.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
