NANCY OF THE OVERTHROW.

 

NANCY OF THE OVERTHROW. 

Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

 

 

A Border Collie, white and fancy, she goes by the name of Nancy,

and was born out on the ranges where the Ironbark thickly grows.

Her Mum 'Fiesta Jodie' came in pup to 'Prince's Wally'

and the pup was jokingly called Nancy of the overthrow.

The farmer wasn’t happy.  It was getting close to shearing,

his best bitch knocked up, cannot work.  Well that's an awful blow.

He'd three thousand head to muster and despite his bluff and bluster

he relied far more on his dogs help than anyone would know.

 

The pup’s a little beauty with bloodlines fine that do me

proud as punch.  She is the smartest dog that I've seen in a while.

She is lightweight, white and yappy, but with her I'm always happy

and her antics whilst out mustering they always make me smile.

And I sometimes rather fancy that my little bitch, my Nancy,

has been on earth before.  Is there another juxtaposed?

For she knows just what to do and there is no discussion, true

it’s in her genes.  When chasing sheep, she's never indisposed.

 

In my wildest flights of fancy, I have visions of my Nancy

working in the ring and trialling, beneath a judges stare.

As she gets her three sheep yarded, my directions she's discarded

for she's doing what comes naturally and works without a care.

She sees a vision splendid.  With plumy tail and gait extended,

she blocks the ram and turns him, a not so easy feat.

and I'm filled with admiration when she has an altercation

with a stroppy ram who thinks that she is small enough to beat.

 

For she stops and gives him eye and then creeps up kind of sly.

His foot stamps, he’s undecided whether to go or to stay.

Then with lightening quick precision not a moments indecision,

she swings on him quick, and he decides he'd best be on his way.

As the stock are slowly stringing, 'cross the paddock with the ringing

of the lead sheep's bell somnolent tone on this the final push.

My life is blessed and thrilling, and my sweet Nancy so willing.

I am privileged to work alongside the Bitch from the Bush.

 

I often take the time to ponder, as my contented gaze wanders

'cross the paddocks that surround me, full of fine Merino sheep.

Where the air is unpolluted, with no raucous phones or music

and at night when sheer exhaustion brings to me the sweetest sleep.

It’s a lucky man I am, and I thank my God again

as I enjoy simple pleasures that city folk never know.

Now out here on open acres with my sheep and dogs around me

I share nature’s glorious gift with Nancy of the overthrow.