Gumtops (Rex Ingamells 1935)

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Days of Delight Three old men In drear desolation, Shaking their heads In shrill conversation: “Gone!” cries one, “Forever!” another; “The days of delight They are gone,” wails the … [Read more...] about The Days of Delight [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] By the Fire The gentle drum of rain upon the roof Is sorrowful but comforting to sorrow; And its dim reverberations Soothe the night. I am sitting by the fire, Watching the warm raying of its … [Read more...] about By the Fire [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Captive See the lion, see the tawny king, Stretched on grey cement, With unregarding, dreamy eyes, Calm and innocent. See those limbs, so lax and statuesque; See that quiet head; And view … [Read more...] about The Captive [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Lady of Light It is black outside the house to-night, Big ghouls hold captive the Lady of Light; A dungeon chink if she peep through, They drag her and beat her from earth-man’s view; Beat her … [Read more...] about The Lady of Light [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Sea-Things I love the sea. Oh, how I love the sea! All ocean things are magic things to me. I love the solitude of ocean days, When up above me billowed canvas sways; I love the spray-sweet … [Read more...] about Sea-Things [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Bully Hayes Across the scintillating tropic sea, A barquentine, with snow-white awning spread And sparkling sails, before a breeze has sped To anchor by an island, gracefully. Superb canoes, … [Read more...] about Bully Hayes [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Fire Behind the Hills I saw a fire behind the hills in the night. Red and sinister was the glow; Slowly it grew till it silhouetted The gums of the crest-lines like demons in a row. There was … [Read more...] about Fire Behind the Hills [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] In the Bush Far is the city. For a sojourn brief, Heart-free, I sleep and wake and wander here, Where Time, the busy thief, Becomes a guileless charmer, A most sweet disarmer. Around the … [Read more...] about In the Bush [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Mopoke When Night was come upon the bush With stars and mounting moon, And magpies drowsed aloft in leaves, Forgetting their glad tune; Then some nocturnal spirit spoke, Echoing clear and … [Read more...] about The Mopoke [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Laughing-Jacks (Written after a Trip from Cobdogla to Morgan by Canoe) The laughing-jacks lurked on both banks to chide At our presumptuous little Odyssey; With sudden scornful outbursts to … [Read more...] about Laughing-Jacks [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] By an Old Gum With half-closed eyes I saw by an old gum Black gleaming-bodied men stalk shadowily To trap the kangaroo, then others come, Loud with the zest of wild corroboree. I saw men flashing in … [Read more...] about By an Old Gum [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Sale-Time There’s dust and loud cracking of whips On the hot dry plain: The stockmen are droving the cattle in To the sales again. The children will hurry from school, When their lessons are … [Read more...] about Sale-Time [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Bullocky A bullocky came at noon, With his lumbering team and slow, Leaving behind a heavy cloud Of red-dust hanging low. Up over the ridge he came, In worn-out, dusty clothes, Cracking his … [Read more...] about The Bullocky [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Witchcrafts My campfire embers greyly glow; I lie beneath a giant tree, Whose leaves and twigs plot with the stars To weave new witchcrafts over me. The cricket’s rapid “Chack-a-chack!” Shrills … [Read more...] about Witchcrafts [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Bandicoot-God The Bandicoot-god, In sacred deeps ’Neath the plain’s thick crust, Through all time sleeps. Undreaming he lies Long nights and days, From stars far-hidden And the sun’s hot … [Read more...] about The Bandicoot-God [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Excited Crows In the MacDonnells once I saw, Where gums stood stark Against the first stars in the purpling dark, A noisy concourse of excited crows Burst from the glooming clouds of silent … [Read more...] about Excited Crows [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Billy Gray With two sturdy camels, A life ago, Billy Gray struck westward Where sunset’s glow Gave promises fine, In fiery stains, Of easily rifted Opal-veins. The months moved slowly Above … [Read more...] about Billy Gray [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Land of the Crow Each dawn the sun with silver sheens The black crow’s wing, In far-off desert places, but No sweet notes ring. At eve the sun on sallow hills Flings flames of rose, And … [Read more...] about The Land of the Crow [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Camels The mighty desert country Is treeless and quite bare, Except for clumps of saltbush stumps And spinifex and glare; Yet swart and turbanned Afghans, Lean Afghans, brown and strong, With … [Read more...] about Camels [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Afghans Four Afghans sit in evening light, With features dusked by turbans white, But eyes like sun-glow I’ve seen smoulder On a lonely desert boulder. In circle, cross-legged, they … [Read more...] about The Afghans [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] Forlorn Beauty O I have seen one flaming peak at dawn Across a sea of sand. Alone it stood, And bare of all but colour; no great wood Had up its sides a shaggy mantle drawn. Seared by the desert … [Read more...] about Forlorn Beauty [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] The Old Telegraph Station, Strangways It is the most unhappy place these eyes Have seen: forlorn old ruins crown A sandy knoll, whose ugly sides reach down To blazing desert under blazing … [Read more...] about The Old Telegraph Station, Strangways [poem by Rex Ingamells]

[Editor: This poem by Rex Ingamells was published in Gumtops (1935).] A Boomerang This piece of hardwood, cunningly shaped, Was curved so evenly while picaninnies gaped At a Warrior who chipped at it with pieces of flint, And formed it by meticulous dint upon … [Read more...] about A Boomerang [poem by Rex Ingamells]