~ Judie Peet ~



In memory of a talented poet and dear friend...


Click or scroll for Jude's poems:

Diamond Firetail

Friends of the Forest

She's So Beautiful!

Awakening the Beast



 Jude's poetry and tributes               Nature Poets home






Diamond Firetail

Look on top of all the grasses
tiny lights, a flash that passes
faster than an eye can blink
faster than the brain can think
a living jewel, a tiny bird
now sits atop the grass he stirred;
black waistcoat with diamonds white
crimson beak and rump as bright!
On his own for just a second -
then the flock somehow has beckoned
out they fly and then close ranks
in the grasses, up the banks.

Soft their murmuring as they go
their small red tail lights briefly glow
then they disappear again
Diamond Firetails on the Plain.



© Copyright Judie Peet


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Friends of the Forest

While waiting for us all, the trees stood tall
and shook their branches out to loosen dust
and freshen blossoms -- then they preened and fussed
so soft old leaves and strips of bark should fall
to form a welcome carpet for our feet.
On high, their leaves gave eucalyptus scent
to waft on gentle breezes as we went
along the shaded tracks to where we'd meet.

Along another track the air was still
and sharp with fear as loggers brought their gear
to where they'd work -- their hungry chainsaws shrill,
demanding food for gluttons at the mill.
Prepare for war! We need to make it clear:
this is one forest that they shall not kill!



© Copyright Judie Peet


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She's So Beautiful!

In my garden,
binding grass stems,
there's a Red-backed Spider busy
with her silver tangled
dewdrop spangled
web.

Far better for the spider
if I had never spied 'er
in her frantic to and froing
with her long black legs all going
to repair her damaged
web.

She's so beautiful, that spider,
with her belly fat and black
and that warning flash of scarlet
bolting half way down her back.
What a pity she's a biter
'cause it means I'll
have to fight 'er
to the death,
in her silver
spangled
web.


© Copyright Judie Peet


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Awakening the Beast

My gentle pick thunks softly in the clay
that clings and hugs, enwrapping you and time
in secrecy. Now grain by grain I seek
to bring you to a future world, and me.

Your time for sleep draws swiftly to a close!
For fifty million years you've lain at rest,
to dream enblanketed beside your prey;
could it have been a restful sleep, old Croc?

The turtle shell with tooth-hole marked the spot,
and so I dig with certainty, and see
a little of your armoured skull and teeth,
and soon the rest of you will fill my arms.

Awake my beast! Just rest in plaster cast,
and greet the day -- it's time to meet the Press.



© Copyright Judie Peet


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