Bush Poetry by Country Campfire

A forgotten cask at the back of the fridge has survived the summer heat—now the question is whether age has improved it or finished it off. Written by Geoff Bagman, Box Of Wine. is a light-hearted Australian bush poem about old labels, optimistic taste-testing and the eternal hope that boxed wine might somehow become vintage. Read the poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/box-of-wine-geoff-bagman/ Meet Geoff Bagman: https://countrycampfire.com.au/geoff-bagman/

From her station kitchen, Cookalingee shares what she has with the people gathered outside. Their visit brings memories of another way of life—and a question about what comfort and security can truly replace. Written by Oodgeroo Noonuccal and recited by Narelle Stoll, Cookalingee is a poignant Australian poem about generosity, belonging and the cost of losing connection to culture. Meet Narelle Stoll: https://countrycampfire.com.au/narelle-stoll/

Settle in for Ten Yarns with Bob Pacey — a collection of ten poems brought together from the Bush Poetry Podcast archives in one episode. Episode 154 gives you a longer session with Bob, celebrating his contribution to keeping Australian bush poetry alive. In this compilation: The Outhouse A Tribute to Slim Disneyland Country Girls My Land Nancy of the Underflow Getting Older Old Bill The Golfer Steve Irwin Visit Bob’s Country Campfire Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/bobpacey/ Follow Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063713366418 If you enjoy this collection, share it with a mate and help us keep the verse alive. Country Campfire — Australia’s Digital Campfire.

Episode 153 of the Bush Poetry Podcast features “Small Town Syndrome”, a sharp, satirical Australian bush poem by Helen Dunn. From whispered accusations in the supermarket aisles to picture-perfect lives on social media, Helen takes aim at small-town gossip, jealousy and double standards — where a polite wave becomes a scandal and a grain of truth becomes everyone’s business. Explore Helen Dunn’s Country Campfire Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/helen-dunn/ Follow Helen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591918727628 Contains strong language and adult themes.

Episode 152 of the Bush Poetry Podcast features “Why Am I Even Here? (Thanks Milton Bradley)”, a humorous Australian bush poem written and performed by Geoff Bagman. From wanting to be an astronaut after watching the Apollo crew on television to dreaming of becoming a rock-and-roll musician after seeing Woodstock and Jimi Hendrix, Geoff looks back on the unlikely path that brought him here — with the final answer landing squarely on a particularly loose game of Twister. Read the complete poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/why-am-i-even-here-thanks-milton-bradley-geoff-bagman-2/ Explore Geoff Bagman’s Country Campfire Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/geoff-bagman/ More of Geoff Bagman’s poetry will be joining the Bush Poetry Podcast and Keeping The Verse Alive around the campfire. Country Campfire — Australia’s Digital Campfire.

At a misty bend in the river, a weary traveller finds a stranger sitting beside a campfire, mug of rum in hand, with a warning about the shadows that follow us through life. Written and recited by Ben Eggleton, Ghost Moon Shadows is a reflective Australian bush poem about confronting the demons of the past, tearing down old walls and waking with the strength to move forward. Read the poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/ghost-moon-shadows-ben-eggleton/ Meet Ben Eggleton: https://countrycampfire.com.au/ben-eggleton/

On a pitch-black Murranji night, cattle truckie Scott Farquhar discovers that fifty-three metres back to a lonely gate can feel a very long way when the scrub starts playing tricks. Written and recited by Scott Farquhar, Wasn’t Scared, Just in a Hurry is a humorous Australian bush poem from the road. Read the poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/wasnt-scared-just-in-a-hurry-scott-farquhar-poem/ Meet Scott Farquhar: https://countrycampfire.com.au/scott-farquhar/

Rise n’ Shine (What a Place to Be.) is a humorous bush poem by Geoff Bagman about an energetic rooster, a laid-back bull and the colourful characters sharing life on the land. Read the poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/rise-n-shine-what-a-place-to-be-geoff-bagman/ Discover more from Geoff Bagman: https://countrycampfire.com.au/geoff-bagman/

Old Ben Thompson had no interest in saving his soul—and the badger beneath his floorboards had even less patience with visitors. In this episode of the Bush Poetry Podcast, Peter Pentland performs Taste for Religion , a wickedly funny bush yarn about a cranky old Englishman, his formidable pet badger and the religious visitors who dare to call. Read the poem on Country Campfire: https://countrycampfire.com.au/taste-for-religion-peter-pentland/ Discover more of Peter Pentland’s work on his Country Campfire Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/peter-pentland/ Taste for Religion was written and performed by Peter Pentland and is shared with permission.

In this episode of the Bush Poetry Podcast, Narelle Stoll recites “Number 24”, her tribute to Norwegian resistance hero Gunnar Sønsteby. Written in 2012, the poem reflects on Sønsteby’s courage, sacrifice and determination during World War II, and the lasting freedom secured through the actions of people like him. Read the poem on Country Campfire: https://countrycampfire.com.au/number-24-narelle-stoll/ Learn more about Narelle and discover her other work on her Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/narelle-stoll/

Episode 146 of the Bush Poetry Podcast features Bob Pacey with his poem “Steve Irwin”. A tribute in verse to one of Australia’s most recognisable and much-loved characters. Read more about Bob Pacey and his work on his Country Campfire Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/bobpacey/ Visit Bob’s Facebook Page, Australian Bush Poetry With A Passion: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063713366418 The Bush Poetry Podcast is part of Country Campfire — helping keep Australian bush poetry, its poets and their stories alive. 🔥 Country Campfire Australia’s Digital Campfire

Episode 145 of the Bush Poetry Podcast features Helen Dunn — better known online as That Welding Sheila — reciting her poem “White Girl Wasted”. A funny, modern bush poem with plenty of personality. Watch Helen’s original Facebook recital here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DPBjBL7qm/ Follow Helen / That Welding Sheila on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591918727628 The Bush Poetry Podcast is part of Country Campfire — helping keep Australian bush poetry, its poets and their stories alive. 🔥 Country Campfire Australia’s Digital Campfire

A father’s tall tale about an old crocodile starts as a bit of fun — but the creek may have the last word. Read Old Scar on Country Campfire: ⁠https://countrycampfire.com.au/old-scar-geoff-bagman/⁠ Discover more from Geoff Bagman: ⁠https://countrycampfire.com.au/geoff-bagman/⁠ A humorous Australian bush poem by Geoff Bagman. During a long drive to Cape York, an impatient boy, a creekside stop and the twisted remains of an old bull-bar give Dad everything he needs to spin a terrifying yarn.

Narelle Stoll joins the Bush Poetry Podcast to recite her poem “Reflecting on Henry”. Walking along George Street in Sydney, Narelle encounters the faces and struggles of the modern city while wondering what Henry Lawson—the poet behind “Faces in the Street”—might see if he walked beside her today. Read the poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/reflecting-on-henry-narelle-stoll/ Discover more from Narelle Stoll: https://countrycampfire.com.au/narelle-stoll/ Shared with permission as part of Country Campfire’s Keeping The Verse Alive project.

When We Drank Our Wine From Bags is an original bush poem written and recited by Rob Baldinger. Discover more about Rob and his work: https://countrycampfire.com.au/rob-baldinger/ Rob is a hunter, storyteller and bush poet who shares his love of Australian bush life through humour and a good yarn. If you enjoy Australian bush poetry, SUBSCRIBE to the Bush Poetry Podcast and tell your mates. https://countrycampfire.com.au

A boastful shearer, a quietly scheming swagman and a croquet match played with sledgehammers and dried paddy melons. What could possibly go wrong? In this episode, Australian bush poet Peter Pentland performs his wonderfully funny original poem, The Croquet Match —a classic bush yarn about Stinky, Bluey and a set of rules that become increasingly convenient as the contest unfolds. Read The Croquet Match : https://countrycampfire.com.au/the-croquet-match-peter-pentland/ Discover more poetry and performances from Peter Pentland: https://countrycampfire.com.au/peter-pentland/ Watch Peter perform The Croquet Match on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oHqXRhlsk50?si=VQiYJhaECtsxBgUJ

Law of the Land is written and performed by Neil McArthur. A father decides it is time to teach his young son one of the harsh realities of bush life when their beloved horse appears to be suffering. But when the boy cannot pull the trigger and Dad steps in to demonstrate, the lesson goes spectacularly off the rails. What follows is a wild chain of misfortune involving a rifle, an electric fence, a truck, crocodiles, snakes, wasps and nearly everything else the Australian bush can throw at one extremely unlucky bloke. Funny, outrageous and unmistakably Neil McArthur, Law of the Land is a classic bush yarn in which an old bush custom comes back to bite the bloke trying to enforce it. Discover more about Neil McArthur and explore his work on Country Campfire: https://countrycampfire.com.au/neil-mcarthur/ If you enjoy Australian bush poetry, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Bush Poetry Podcast and tell your mates. Country Campfire is rebuilding Australia’s digital campfire and helping preserve the stories, characters and poetry of the Australian bush. https://countrycampfire.com.au

🔥 This New Technological Stuff is an original poem written and performed by Ben Eggleton. With a bit of country humour and a clever look at the way things change, Ben takes us back to a time when even adding an extra spike to an old farm fork could be considered new technology. It’s a great example of Ben’s conversational style of poetry — taking an everyday observation and turning it into a story worth sharing. 🔥 Explore Ben Eggleton’s Contributing Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/ben-eggleton/ 📖 Read This New Technological Stuff as part of our Keeping The Verse Alive project: https://countrycampfire.com.au/this-new-technological-stuff-ben-eggleton/ 🎥 Watch Ben recite This New Technological Stuff: https://youtu.be/I4j3ETUNQwc?si=ffExCPaCHobT2BfX 📘 Join the Keeping The Verse Alive Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepingtheversealive 🏕️ Discover more bush poetry, local legends and Australian country stories: https://countrycampfire.com.au ✍️ If you write bush poetry, perform bush poetry, or know someone who does, we’d love to hear from you. Pull up a stump, throw another log on the fire, and we’ll see you around the next campfire.

😄 Stroking! What? is an original bush poem written and performed by Corin Linch . With his trademark wit and sharp observation, Corin delivers another entertaining piece that reminds us why bush poetry has always been about finding humour in everyday Australian life. 🔥 Explore Corin Linch's Contributing Legend page: https://countrycampfire.com.au/corin-linch/ 🎥 Watch Corin perform Stroking! What? on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2796042310781027 🏕️ Discover more bush poetry, local legends and Australian country stories: https://countrycampfire.com.au ✍️ If you write bush poetry, perform bush poetry, or know someone who does, we'd love to hear from you. Pull up a stump, throw another log on the fire, and we'll see you around the next campfire.

🏍️ That's the Life for Me is an original bush poem written and performed by Peter Flanagan . Recited from the middle of the paddock while sitting on his motorbike, Peter's performance captures the freedom, humour and simple pleasures of country life. It's a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are found well away from the hustle and bustle. 🔥 Explore Peter Flanagan's Contributing Legend page, where you can also watch Peter perform this poem: https://countrycampfire.com.au/peter-flanagan/ 🏕️ Discover more bush poetry, local legends and Australian country stories: https://countrycampfire.com.au ✍️ If you write bush poetry, perform bush poetry, or know someone who does, we'd love to hear from you. Pull up a stump, throw another log on the fire, and we'll see you around the next campfire.