C. J. Dennis (1876-1938) (author)

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Sparrow I’m a chirpie little chappie. Pertly vulgar, passing vain, Quarrelsome, yet piping, happy, My monotonous refrain. Foraging by shed and stable, Close camp-follower of … [Read more...] about The Sparrow [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Ground Thrush I’m a business man; and I can’t spare time For this fluting and fussing and frilling. The song of my cousin may be sublime, But I never have found it filling. So I run … [Read more...] about The Ground Thrush [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Blue Kingfisher Where the little river gleaming Thro’ its shadows, green and cool, Broadens to the quiet dreaming Of a little shady pool; There an azure jewel burning O’er the waters … [Read more...] about The Blue Kingfisher [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Butcher Bird I might charm you with my song, Could you but forget my trade, Where I pipe the autumn long In some bowered wattle glade — Pipe a rollicking refrain Such as Circe might … [Read more...] about The Butcher Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The White Cockatoo They count me but a common bird, Unworthy of respect, Who see me chained, with mien absurd Striving to croak some alien word Of some strange dialect; A captive robbed … [Read more...] about The White Cockatoo [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Crimson Parrot In the quiet noonday heat Creeping high aloft Nimbly, on prehensile feet, Calling very soft; Else, among the seeding grass, Feeding by a tree Where the soft cloud … [Read more...] about The Crimson Parrot [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Silver-eye Down among the strawberries, Up among the plums, Cheeping in the cherry-tree When early autumn comes, In our silver spectacles And sober olive suits. We’re very, very … [Read more...] about The Silver-eye [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Magpie Lark By lagoons and reedy places, Where the little river races, By the lips of dreaming pools Where the soothing water cools Many a verdant slope and hollow, Here my blithesome … [Read more...] about The Magpie Lark [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] First Frost Now comes an end to quiet autumn days And to frail loveliness. In the still night Cold death has crept along the garden ways To wrap at last about each blossom bright Its … [Read more...] about First Frost [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Indian Summer Winter had come to frown a little while, And bluster from his skies of sodden grey, Until bland Autumn, with a cheerful smile, Chased him into the dark hills far … [Read more...] about Indian Summer [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Autumn Now comes the time when quiet showers soothe The wounds of Summer’s too intense embrace, And gentle hands reach down softly to smooth The wrinkles from the garden’s sun-seared … [Read more...] about Autumn [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Dusky Wood-Swallow Surely must you know me, Friendly and content; All my actions show me Freely confident; With my band of toilers, When the blue days smile; Little Jacky … [Read more...] about The Dusky Wood-Swallow [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Black and White Fantail “Sweet, pretty little creature,” When the summer comes again ’Mid the burgeoning bush I feature Debonair and passing vain. Yet, who’d not condone self … [Read more...] about The Black and White Fantail [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Lyretail Far in the forest depths I dwell, The master mimic of them all, To pour from out my secret dell Echo of many a bushland call, That over all the forest spills; Echo of many a … [Read more...] about The Lyretail [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Bookbook Owl Not for any airs and graces When, to lonely, silent places Men return in memory, Come these kindly thoughts of me. But they hear again my calling Where the dappled … [Read more...] about The Bookbook Owl [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Singing Honeyeater When the glowing days grow long ’Mid the blossoms, sweet my fare, Sweet the burden of my song Floating on the summer air, When the garden is ablaze, And all nature … [Read more...] about The Singing Honeyeater [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Gang Gang When the wattle curls are drooping, Where the sun-shy gullies dream, O’er the hill-tops come we trooping, Echoes waking to our scream. When the mint-bush bloom is falling By … [Read more...] about The Gang Gang [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Tree Creeper My family holds many kinds: The red, the white of brow, the brown; And each a life’s employment finds Where rugged gum-trees lift a crown Up to the kind, life-giving … [Read more...] about The Tree Creeper [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Golden Whistler Golden bird whose golden voice, When the summer days wax long — Cheery optimist from choice — Bids the feathered world rejoice With full many a varied song From the … [Read more...] about The Golden Whistler [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Little Black Cormorant By inlet and islet and wide river reaches, By lake and lagoon I’m at home; Yet oft the far forests of blue gum and beeches About the broad ranges I … [Read more...] about The Little Black Cormorant [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Grey Fantail The bushmen call me “Cranky Fan,” Because my strange, erratic flight Seems to uncomprehending man Sign of a wit not over bright; But nimble wit and nimble wing Uphold me … [Read more...] about The Grey Fantail [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Grey Goshawk There is a flutter in the trees; And now a sudden, dread unease Stills all the bushland melodies Amid the gums; Stills now the song of wren and thrush; Robin, honeyeater … [Read more...] about The Grey Goshawk [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The English Goldfinch When dandelions star the fields, Another alien singer, I, Nursed upon England’s flowery wealds, Seeking no tithe of treasured yields, Drop sudden from a summer … [Read more...] about The English Goldfinch [poem by C. J. Dennis]