MacArthur Bay
Andrew Macarthur
& Doctor Kelly Snow
It was no chance, or idle whim
That brought the stranger this way
Asking for directions to a small town
Nigh, the end of that fateful day.
For he hoped he'd left his troubles
With the city crowds and faded suits
And to MacArthur Bay he'd come
And sought to trace his roots.
When they found him lying mugged
Beside a dusty, country lane
And discovered, Andrew MacArthur!
Was thought to be his name
There were those, within the township
Who were simply saw amazed
And from many of the others
There were awkward questions raised.
For treatment, he was taken
To Doctor Kelly Snow
And Andy dazed, but quite besotted
Hoped to make a friendship grow.
From her tender ministrations
Into the cold, hard light of day
It was not long before he wondered
If he really wanted there to stay.
Into a township in crisis
Locked in bitter, strong debate
Andy woke in some confusion
From his close brush with fate.
With both sides, so insistent
Not preparing to give in
They lobbied for his favour
Determined they would win.
Both leaders sought his sanction
When his heritage was learned
And harassed him, with a vengeance
T'ill, peace and comfort's all he yearned.
Looking for some solace
To Doctor Kelly, Andy turned
And sheltered in her presence
The fires of passion, newly burned.
The Mayor and Edith Slocombe
With different visions, were obsessed
And berated all the townsfolk
As if they were possessed.
From this seething cauldron
Two lovers, silently eloped
And down at Jimmy's inlet
Found the sanctuary they hoped.
When in the arms of his beloved
Tender Doctor Kelly Snow
Of the trouble all around him
Andy, did not want to know.
For when they gazed o'er the horizon
Across the calmness of the Bay
From their solitude, imagined
Where the gentle dugong play.
Rodd Sherwin ©