Beauty Imposes (John Shaw Neilson 1938)

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] Beauty Imposes Beauty imposes reverence in the Spring. Grave as the urge within the honeybuds, It wounds us as we sing. Beauty is joy that stays not overlong. Clad in … [Read more...] about Beauty Imposes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] I Spoke to the Violet Shy one, I said, you can take me away in a breath, But I like not the coat that you come in — the colour of death. The silence you come with is … [Read more...] about I Spoke to the Violet [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] Sunday Evening Homeward, still homeward The calm folk ride, And the unsoiled children In dreams abide. Homeward, still homeward, Fond arms display Flowers and calm … [Read more...] about Sunday Evening [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Poor Can Feed the Birds Ragged, unheeded, stooping, meanly shod, The poor pass to the pond: not far away The spires go up to God. Shyly they come from the … [Read more...] about The Poor Can Feed the Birds [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] He Saw the Jig He saw the jig, he said, an emerald thing With speech of love, whose blood is liberty: It lies beyond the fiddler and the string. Hotly it tells how … [Read more...] about He Saw the Jig [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] Golden Fugitive To a departing Smoker Parrot Moonlight and sunrise ran about your wing, Lightning and sundown, every joy in yellow Came for your raiment and your … [Read more...] about Golden Fugitive [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Time of Tumult Joy in the wilderness, joy in the mart: A mystery beats in at every door; The tender thoughts assail the tender heart; In the undimmed the little … [Read more...] about The Time of Tumult [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Long Week-end Beauty she fought for, she had need to spend; The foreman that she feared in all her woes Leaves not a cloud. How fortunate she goes Upon the long … [Read more...] about The Long Week-end [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] Uncle to a Pirate Often at eventide we go To a tempestuous picture-show. Gently I hold his heedless hand In that preposterous Wonderland. Pistols we see and big blue … [Read more...] about Uncle to a Pirate [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Vine that is a Friend Arthur is old, and being overwise, He will not cease to taunt me night and day: He does my water-drinking much despise. He is monotonous and … [Read more...] about The Vine that is a Friend [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Crane is My Neighbour The bird is my neighbour, a whimsical fellow and dim; There is in the lake a nobility falling on him. The bird is a noble, he turns to the sky … [Read more...] about The Crane is My Neighbour [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Road to the Hospital (Over this road, running west through the Gardens to the Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, mothers carry their children day by day) This is the … [Read more...] about The Road to the Hospital [poem by John Shaw Neilson]

[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938).] The Theme Eternal (Replying to a fellow rhymer who complains that a beautiful young girl is using cosmetics) Great is the theme, good brother, you have chosen; Sweet is … [Read more...] about The Theme Eternal [poem by John Shaw Neilson]