We clambered about the riverbank excited that Uncle Rocko would join us. Strumming his guitar as he created nifty river songs for us about the cod, crayfish and eels. The huge river red gums towered above us as wattle scent tickled our sinuses. Mist shrouding the banks on a chill winter morn.
Outback river our worthy playground when beaches and grassy parks were well out of reach. Kingfishers and kookaburras grace our branches instead of begging sea gulls. Platypus spied swimming to safety in the early morning while wombats wandered nearby on their hunt for supplies. Grazing wallabies on alert at any new scents or sounds.
too cold for swimming
wildlife tracks to be explored
on our riverbank
reflections from my amazing visits to my First Nation friends in the outback
dVerse, nature’s magic in a haibun, Merril,
aroused 
I remember summers able to explore the woods of what is called Up State NY. I’m sure there was water somewhere, but mostly I remember the freedom to roam safely in nature. Lovely haibun.
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thanks Jules, I have a dear friend living in that area and her photos speak to me!
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Such a blessing to be able to dive in at such a young age . Beautifully written.
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What a delightful memory.. Love it. The photo is great as well.
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Wonderfully illustrative, both the photo and the prose. Sure, we have kingfishers, rivers and mist in North America too, but just about everything you mention is unique to Oz. As such, it’s all so beautifully exotic to me, inspiring daydreams.
In the broader sense, you reminisce fondly on these things, bringing to mind my own happy memories of a childhood trip to Yellowstone (a national park where the Great Plains climb into the Rockies). Ah, youthood’s honeyed nostalgia!
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Yellowstone NP is one of the very few reasons I would ever venture to your part of the world … love everything I’ve seen and know about it! How wonderful to have a childhood there 🙂
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I really love the simplicity and the setting which for me is so very exotic.
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Lovely memories! Thank you for sharing.
It seems that rivers are amazing everywhere. 🙂
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Those wonderful moments of real connection.
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Lovely / I missed reading this one . 🥰
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That’s a lovely haibun, Kate and photo speaks eloquently.
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A gem Kate, photo & words in harmony, recreating a special memory. These are love filled, life sustaining experiences no monetary amount can buy! You are rich beyond compare! Xx
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oh yes I must say I have truly lived Marie, nothing left undone 🙂
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Kate, no wonder you radiate so much love, not many are that blessed or fulfilled!
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Indeed a great reflection – the photo says so much and the words golden
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This brings sighs and smiles, Kate! 🙂 So beautiful…your photo and your writing! You’ve captured your memories in vibrant words that ignite our emotions! 🙂
Having lived poor and not-as-poor, having lived in huge cities and in very rural areas, having bought food and raised my own food, etc….I still find I love the natural nature rural life the best.
HUGS!!!
PS…Everyone needs an Uncle Rocko in their life! 🙂
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Simple rural living is my preferred style and think I’ve found that only eleven kms out of a large rural centre … so best of all worlds!
Uncle Rocko was super special …
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Beautiful Haibun, Kate and I loved the simplicity in the picture the kids are looking so nice.
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A gorgeous haibun, Kate, and I love your accompanying picture.
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thanks Robbie, they are the actual kids from that riverbank I’ve recalled, altho the red gums mentioned are from another river I lived on further south in the outback 🙂
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Nice! Adventurous!
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Lovely – you have captured so many aspects of the joy of childhood.
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Impressive !! Now I also would like to meet uncle rocko ! 😅
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Thanks for the reminder Sameer, don’t have any Uncle Rocko originals but here is my attempt to recall one
https://aroused.blog/2018/12/29/down-by-the-river
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