[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] Old Sister Paul O Salutaris Hostia, the Alpha and the Omega Within the monstrance fair; How sweet the maiden voices ring while to and fro the censers swing And incense … [Read more...] about Old Sister Paul [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
John O'Brien (author) (1878-1952)
The Durkins [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] The Durkins Have you ever seen the Durkins at the Sunday morning Mass At the little old St Peter’s week by week, Since Old Man and Granny Durkin, then an Irish lad and … [Read more...] about The Durkins [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
Imelda May [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] Imelda May Your wedding appears in the press today — May you never repent it, Imelda May. They brought you here when your life began, And I thought you smiled as the … [Read more...] about Imelda May [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
The Parish of St Mel’s [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] The Parish of St Mel’s Beyond the vague wheel-tortured track The wandering mailman knows, Away outback and further back And still outback it goes. It’s on the map … [Read more...] about The Parish of St Mel’s [poem by John O’Brien, 1954]
The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses [by John O’Brien, 1954]
[Editor: This book of poetry, written by “John O’Brien” (Patrick Hartigan), was published in 1954 (two years after Hartigan passed away). As there are many older words and phrases in his poems, including quite a few of Irish origin, which may be unfamiliar to many readers, a … [Read more...] about The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses [by John O’Brien, 1954]
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]
Moryah [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Moryah “Wisha, where is he goin’ to now With the hat on the back of the poll. And the hair of him curled on the brow, Like a millionaire out for a stroll?” “Ar’, Old Man, … [Read more...] about Moryah [poem by John O’Brien]
Laughing Mary [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Laughing Mary With cheeks that paled the rosy morn She bounded o’er the heather, And romped with us among the corn When we were kids together. Her mother’s help, her … [Read more...] about Laughing Mary [poem by John O’Brien]
Ownerless [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses (1921).] Ownerless He comes when the gullies are wrapped in the gloaming And limelights are trained on the tops of the gums, To stand at the sliprails, awaiting the homing Of one … [Read more...] about Ownerless [poem by John O’Brien]
The Parting Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Parting Rosary They have brought the news, my darlin’, that I’ve waited for so long. Faith, ‘twas little news they brought me; every story, every song That I’ve heard … [Read more...] about The Parting Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
When Old Man Carey Died [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] When Old Man Carey Died A night of wind and driving rain, No light on land or sky — The sharp squalls shook the window-pane And scurried loudly by, When sped abroad the … [Read more...] about When Old Man Carey Died [poem by John O’Brien]
The Carey’s [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Carey’s Their new house stood just off the road. A fine big brick two-storey, All gabled, tiled, and porticoed, To flaunt its owners’ glory. We never had, to tell the … [Read more...] about The Carey’s [poem by John O’Brien]
St. Patrick’s Day [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] St. Patrick’s Day ’Tis the greatest splash of sunshine right through all my retrospection On the days when fairies brought me golden dreams without alloy, When I gazed … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day [poem by John O’Brien]
At Casey’s After Mass [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] At Casey’s After Mass There’s a weather-beaten sign-post where the track turns towards the west, Through the tall, white, slender timber, in the land I love the best. Short … [Read more...] about At Casey’s After Mass [poem by John O’Brien]
The Altar-Boy [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Altar-Boy Now McEvoy was altar-boy As long as I remember; He was, bedad, a crabbéd lad, And sixty come December. Faith, no one dared to “interfere” In things the … [Read more...] about The Altar-Boy [poem by John O’Brien]
Tangmalangaloo [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Tangmalangaloo The bishop sat in lordly state and purple cap sublime, And galvanized the old bush church at Confirmation time. And all the kids were mustered up from fifty … [Read more...] about Tangmalangaloo [poem by John O’Brien]
The Presbyt’ry Dog [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Presbyt’ry Dog Now of all the old sinners in mischief immersed, From the ages of Gog and Magog, At the top of the list, from the last to the first, And by every good … [Read more...] about The Presbyt’ry Dog [poem by John O’Brien]