Hurrah for the storm-clouds sweeping! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the driving rain! <br /> <br />The dull earth out of her sleeping <br /> <br />Is wakened to life again. <br /> <br />There are mirrors of crystal shining <br /> <br />Whenever the cloud-wrack breaks, <br /> <br />And grass-clad banks are twining <br /> <br />A wreath for the fairy lakes - - - <br /> <br />Lakes that are links in an endless chain <br /> <br />For the water is out in the swamps again! <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Hurrah for the red-gums standing <br /> <br />So high on the range above! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the she-oaks bending <br /> <br />So low to the wave they love! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the reed-stems slender! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the shade they fling, <br /> <br />For the curve of the cygnet's splendour, <br /> <br />The sheen of the black duck's wing! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the clouds and the glorious rain - - - <br /> <br />The water is out in the swamps again! <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Hurrah for the laughing water, <br /> <br />The songs that the streamlets sing! <br /> <br />Whish! The teal duck's mate has sought her <br /> <br />With a stroke of his mottled wing! <br /> <br />Hurrah for the deepening shadows, <br /> <br />The ibis's eagle-eyed, <br /> <br />The dash of the purple swallows, <br /> <br />To bury their breasts in the tide! <br /> <br />Woe! It is woe to the Drought-King's reign! <br /> <br />The water is out in the swamps again!<br /><br />William Henry Ogilvie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-filling-of-the-swamps/
