This glossary has been compiled as an aid to readers of the poetry of John O’Brien. There are many older words and phrases in his poems, including quite a few of Irish origin, which may be unfamiliar to many readers. Some explanations have been taken from the books of John O’Brien [these are given in […]
Come, Sing Australian Songs to Me! [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Come, Sing Australian Songs to Me! Come, Little One, and sing to me A song our big wide land to bless, Around whose gentle parent-knee We’ve twined the flowers of kindliness. Your eyes are clear Australian blue, Your […]
Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again May a fading fancy hover round a gladness that is over? May a dreamer in the silence rake the ashes of the past? So a spirit might awaken in the best […]
Making Home [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Making Home No, you don’t quite get the meaning when the fun is at its height With the neighbours at the breakfast, and the world is warm and bright; And it doesn’t come upon you when you’re driving […]
Honeymooning from the Country [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Honeymooning from the Country To the rooms where I am dining in the glaring city’s day Come the happy honeymooners from the country far away, Two days old, and very awkward as they wander straight ahead, Much too […]