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
