This is a True Story
THROUGH DANNYS EYES
By Flo Hart
Ten years ago I met them, while on a trip out west,
As I neared the station Homestead looking forward to a rest,
And a cool drink with the owner, or just a cup of tea,
When suddenly! Two lads appeared; they scared the daylights out of me.
I guessed their ages were the same, maybe eight or nine,
So I stopped the car beside them where one he gave the sign.
His hair and skin was black as coal, but he gave a pearly grin,
Said, If youre heading for the station house, mind if we hop in?
He quickly opened up the door, and said, Hi! My name is Danny.
My friend, his name is Emmanuel, but most folk call him Manney.
A tall, slender, fair skin lad held out his hand to me,
And as I gazed into his face, I knew he could not see.
Pleased to meet you boys, I said, Why dont you call me Fred,
Dan said his Dad was the stockman, while Manneys owned the spread,
And us two kids, were bonza mates, cause weve grown up together,
And the arm hed placed around his friend, it shone like polished leather.
Well, later on that evening, I had been asked to stay the night,
Talk turned to my passengers, and Manneys lack of sight.
What lack of sight, his Father said, as he called out to his son,
Tell us what you saw today, Ill bet you boys had fun.
Well, Dad, he said, first we saw the rosy clouds as the sun came up,
A little yellow bird became a butter cup,
A lazy mottled lizard sunbaked on a log,
While in the swamp a fat tadpole became a little frog.
The graceful Brolgas danced about on their long, thin legs,
While a father Emu settled on ten dark eggs.
Just then my host, he whispered, as my face, it showed surprise,
You see, Fred, he misses little, for he sees through Dannys eyes.
Now Manney spoke of ancient tribes, who roamed the sunburnt plains,
Of carpets of wild flowers that blossomed after rain,
But when he spoke of dreamtime, his voice was filled with awe,
I realized it was a miracle, for he saw what Danny saw.
Well recently I journeyed west, and called on them again,
Just then a sun-bronzed lad appeared, his face was filled with pain.
I asked him about Danny, he said his horse threw him against a tree.
It was only then I realised, that now this lad could see.
The folk told me of that accident, and of that mateship rare,
And before he died Dan whispered to the people gathered there,
Give my eyes to Manney, Its his turn now to see,
Tell him where Im going, theyll be no good to me.
Now, when Manney sees the stars, or at a rainbow bright,
Or gazes at his pretty wife, he thanks God for his sight.
Then he thinks of his bonzer mate, who beneath the old oak lies,
And how, just as in childhood, he sees through Dannys eyes.
