[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard Hear the loud swell of it, mighty pell-mell of it! Thousands of voices all blent into one: See ‘hell for leather’ now trooping together, … [Read more...] about ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard [poem by Barcroft Boake]
poetry
Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Kitty McCrae The western sun, ere he sought his lair, Skimmed the treetops, and, glancing thence, Rested awhile on the curling hair Of Kitty McCrae, by the boundary … [Read more...] about Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
An Allegory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] An Allegory The fight was over, and the battle won. A soldier, who beneath his chieftain’s eye Had done a mighty deed and done it well, And done it as the world will … [Read more...] about An Allegory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] How Polly Paid for Her Keep Do I know Polly Brown? Do I know her? Why, damme! You might as well ask if I know my own name! It’s a wonder you never heard tell of old … [Read more...] about How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Digger’s Song [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Digger’s Song Scrape the bottom of the hole: gather up the stuff! Fossick in the crannies, lest you leave a grain behind! Just another shovelful and that’ll be … [Read more...] about The Digger’s Song [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Babes in the Bush Dozens of damp little curls; One little short upper lip; Two rows of teeth like diminutive pearls; Eyes clear and grey as the creek where it … [Read more...] about The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Song from a Sandhill Drip, drip, drip! It tinkles on the fly — The pitiless outpouring of an overburdened sky: Each drooping frond of pine has got a jewel at its tip … [Read more...] about A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Fogarty’s Gin A sweat-dripping horse and a half-naked myall, And a message: ‘Come out to the back of the run — Be out at the stake-yards by rising of sun! Ride hard … [Read more...] about Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Wayside Queen [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Wayside Queen She was born in the season of fire, When a mantle of murkiness lay On the front of the crimson Destroyer: And none knew the name of her sire But the … [Read more...] about A Wayside Queen [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Box-Tree’s Love [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Box-Tree’s Love Long time beside the squatter’s gate A great grey Box-Tree, early, late, Or shine or rain, in silence there Had stood and watched the seasons … [Read more...] about The Box-Tree’s Love [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Valentine The Bree was up; the floods were out Around the hut of Culgo Jim: The hand of God had broke the drought And filled the channels to the brim: The outline … [Read more...] about A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Demon Snow-Shoes [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Demon Snow-Shoes The snow lies deep on hill and dale, In rocky gulch and grassy vale: The tiny, trickling, tumbling falls Are frozen ’twixt their rocky walls That … [Read more...] about The Demon Snow-Shoes [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jim’s Whip. Yes! there it hangs upon the wall And never gives a sound: The hand that trimmed its greenhide fall Is hidden underground — There, in that patch of sallee … [Read more...] about Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Vision Out West Far-reaching downs, a solid sea sunk everlastingly to rest, And yet whose billows seem to be for ever heaving toward the west The tiny field-mice make … [Read more...] about A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Josephus Riley The rum was rich and rare: There were wagers in the air: The atmosphere was rosy, and the tongues were wagging free; But one was in the revel Whose … [Read more...] about Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Memory Adown the grass-grown paths we strayed: The evening cowslips oped Their yellow eyes to look at her; The love-sick lilies moped With envy that she rather … [Read more...] about A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jack’s Last Muster The first flush of grey light, the herald of daylight, Is dimly outlining the musterers’ camp, Where over the sleeping the stealthily … [Read more...] about Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] From the Far West ’Tis a song of the Never Never land — Set to the tune of a scorching gale On the sandhills red, When the grasses dead Loudly rustle, and bow the … [Read more...] about From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Land of Dumb Despair [poem by W. H. Ogilvie]
[Editor: This poem by W. H. Ogilvie was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Land of Dumb Despair. Beyond where farthest drought-fires burn, By hand of fate it once befell, I reached the Realm of No-Return That meets the March of Hell. A … [Read more...] about The Land of Dumb Despair [poem by W. H. Ogilvie]
Red, White, and Blue [poem by Sheila Deane, 15 March 1916]
[Editor: This poem, by Sheila Deane, was published in The Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW), 15 March 1916.] Red, White, and Blue. The days are cold and dreary, And the rain drives in from the west, And the soldiers all are weary, For they find no time … [Read more...] about Red, White, and Blue [poem by Sheila Deane, 15 March 1916]
The Shrine of Remembrance [poem by “R”, 27 April 1935]
[Editor: This poem was published in The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 April 1935.] The Shrine of Remembrance In years to come, some day as night shades fall And gently hide the city, roof and spire, Perhaps someone will watch the sunset fire, As I have done before … [Read more...] about The Shrine of Remembrance [poem by “R”, 27 April 1935]
Anzac Day 1935 [poem by Erle Cox, 27 April 1935]
[Editor: This poem, by Erle Cox, regarding Anzac Day, was published in The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 April 1935.] Anzac Day 1935 As petals fall, so fall the tender years, With peace in fold on fold, Veiling the hurt and bitterness and tears And all the griefs … [Read more...] about Anzac Day 1935 [poem by Erle Cox, 27 April 1935]
Margaret [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Eliza Fullerton was published in Moods and Melodies: Sonnets and Lyrics (1908).] Margaret The skein is snapped, And the hand is still; She will spin no more By the window sill. ’Twas a poor design, And a paltry task; Could a common … [Read more...] about Margaret [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
The Rose on the Lattice [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Eliza Fullerton was published in Moods and Melodies: Sonnets and Lyrics (1908).] The Rose on the Lattice. You were born on my lattice oh wonderful thing, As old as creation yet new as the spring, And the odours of Eden about you still … [Read more...] about The Rose on the Lattice [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
The Blue Endearment of the Hills [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Eliza Fullerton was published in Moods and Melodies: Sonnets and Lyrics (1908).] The Blue Endearment of the Hills Is life not fair, when all around The blue endearment of the hills Lays on the eyes the larger sight That lifts and … [Read more...] about The Blue Endearment of the Hills [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]