BRIDGE the World managing director Jerry Bridge received a standing ovation from delegates at the Australian Tourism Exchange by reciting this self-penned poem to Oz.
It was written when Jerry was backpacking Down Under many years ago.
A travellers tale: Australian Vision
On the road. On the road again.
Chris and I and the car – ‘Mr Roo’, on that road again.
Along tarmac and truck, until we reached Ayers Rock –
Australia’s central landmark.
Arising aperture, the wilderness spoke:
“Sun, sand and stone, Aborigine owned,
Come hither, let no man dream.”
Crumpled sketch now fell,
For there stood horizon’s upturned edge,
Flickering and changing colour, as the sun’s golden rays
Cast shadows upon its cratered surface.
Flame-like features now came and went,
Magnifying both its night and strength.
A sightseer’s pleasure, a pilgrim’s Mecca,
A brilliance beyond extreme.
Untroubled perfection in a land like this.
A monstrous exposure, a peculiar interruption on Australian soil.
Dwelling place for the Aborigine race,
A sacred slab of rock and stone, worshipped…like the sun.
And again, as those boys drove on,
The ancient voice of the vision spoke: “Welcome”…