Lucky Country by Poeta de Cabra takes a hard look at the cycle of floods, drought and bushfires faced by Australian farmers.
From paddocks under water to dry grass waiting to burn, the poem follows the toll on animals, livelihoods and the people working the land. Its closing words bring a bitter edge to the familiar description of Australia as the lucky country.
Lucky Country
By Poeta de Cabra
Vicious circle has started once again
awful weather with far too much rain
Forecast’s bad, according to the reporter
half of Australia is currently under water
But I can tell you now, without any doubt
next year or so, we’ll be back in drought
Personally, wouldn’t be a farmer for quid’s
can pray a lot, but it seems heaven forbids
I don’t have the stomach, that farming requires
putting up with floods, drought, even bushfires
Floods, cause green grass to grow, later it will turn
dry and yellow and just like paper, it will burn
Rain brings on a mess, causes much havoc
drought makes a desert out of the paddock
Hard to say really, which of them might be worse
no wonder farmers break down, swear and curse
Animals die, crops fail, and with the bank they’re in strife
no wonder, the poor buggers drink or take their own life
When the rivers and creeks rise animals are drowning
other times they starve to death, as the land is browning
What would you prefer? Because it is all pretty grim
in floods, only choices you have, is to sink or to swim
With droughts everything dies, like lambs to the slaughter
can only imagine, it’s like a fish trying to live, out of water
Aussie way though, is stick your head down and bum up
be no help from the government, all of them, are corrupt
Strange really, how things are dying and animals are hungry
and still, we can smile and call Australia, The Lucky Country
Keeping The Verse Alive
Lucky Country is prepared for sharing through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project. [Confirm Poeta de Cabra’s permission before publication.]
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.
Poeta De Cabra
Rhyming Poet • Writer • Author
Writing as Poeta De Cabra, this Geelong-based poet follows feelings, ideas and prompts into rhyming verse on many subjects. Originally from Naracoorte, he has been writing for years and released Almanac Of A Wayward Goat in 2026. His Country Campfire page gathers his poems in one place as the collection grows.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
