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 … [Read more...] about A glossary for the poems of John O’Brien
Around the Boree Log and Other Verses (John O’Brien 1921)
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 … [Read more...] about Come, Sing Australian Songs to Me! [poem by John O’Brien]
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 … [Read more...] about Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again [poem by John O’Brien]
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 … [Read more...] about Making Home [poem by John O’Brien]
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 … [Read more...] about Honeymooning from the Country [poem by John O’Brien]
Said the White-Haired Priest [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Said the White-Haired Priest Said the white-haired priest, “So the boy has come, And the old, old dreams are o’er you, And you give no thought to the gray humdrum Of the … [Read more...] about Said the White-Haired Priest [poem by John O’Brien]
Wisha, What is the Matter with Jim? [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Wisha, What is the Matter with Jim? “Wisha, what is the matter with Jim, I dunno? Is he right in the mind for this last week or so? Or has he come in for a station? He is … [Read more...] about Wisha, What is the Matter with Jim? [poem by John O’Brien]
The Wiree’s Song [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Wiree’s Song The wiree sang that Christmas Day, A rippling, limpid, liquid lay In clump and cover trilling; On ripened grain and gleaming road The molten, golden … [Read more...] about The Wiree’s Song [poem by John O’Brien]
Tell Me, What’s a Girl to do? [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Tell Me, What’s a Girl to do? Tell me, what’s a girl to do When the gossoons court and cozen? Some have none and some have two, More can count a baker’s dozen. Mary, … [Read more...] about Tell Me, What’s a Girl to do? [poem by John O’Brien]
A Stranger in the Church [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] A Stranger in the Church ’Twas Callagan who jerked the thumb — A mute, interrogating thumb — That set the people staring At Casey’s lot arriving late. They had in tow a … [Read more...] about A Stranger in the Church [poem by John O’Brien]