[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was written in 1906.] White Australia Child of the white man — welcome to thy place; Great are thy needs and piteous is thy cry. If thou art scorned — alas, the race is lost; Thy mother’s love is in her watchful eye. For very … [Read more...] about White Australia [poem by John Shaw Neilson, 1906]
John Shaw Neilson (1872-1942) (author)
New Poems [by John Shaw Neilson, 1927]
[Editor: This book of poetry by John Shaw Neilson (given here as “Shaw Neilson”) was published in 1927.] New Poems by Shaw Neilson Contents. April Weather Colour Yourself for a Man Green Lover Half a Life Back He Sold Himself to the Daisies Lament … [Read more...] about New Poems [by John Shaw Neilson, 1927]
He was the Christ [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Ballad and Lyrical Poems (1923).] He was the Christ. Our laws, the wisest, haste to die: Our creeds like idle tales are told: The loving heart, the lips that bless, The shadowy centuries make not old. This … [Read more...] about He was the Christ [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Heard at Mulcahy’s [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Ballad and Lyrical Poems (1923).] Heard at Mulcahy’s. Heard in the depth of the night Out where the timid souls go; Brief as the life of a spark, A lover could whisper as low: — A sob, or a sigh, or a … [Read more...] about Heard at Mulcahy’s [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Ballad and Lyrical Poems [by John Shaw Neilson, 1923]
[Editor: This book of poetry by John Shaw Neilson was published in 1923.] Ballad and Lyrical Poems by John Shaw Neilson Contents. [Preface.] All the World’s a Lolly-shop Along a River As Far as My Heart can Go At the End of Spring Break of … [Read more...] about Ballad and Lyrical Poems [by John Shaw Neilson, 1923]
Old Granny Sullivan [booklet by John Shaw Neilson, 1915]
[Editor: This booklet, consisting of the poem “Old Granny Sullivan” by John Shaw Neilson (given here as “Shaw Neilson”), was published in 1915.] Old Granny Sullivan By Shaw Neilson A pleasant shady place it is, a pleasant place and cool — The township folk go up … [Read more...] about Old Granny Sullivan [booklet by John Shaw Neilson, 1915]
Beauty Imposes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[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]
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).] 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]
Sunday Evening [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]
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).] 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]
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).] 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]
Golden Fugitive [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]
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 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]
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).] 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]
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).] 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]
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 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]
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 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]
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 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]
The Theme Eternal [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]
Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse [by John Shaw Neilson, 1938]
[Editor: This book of poetry by John Shaw Neilson was published in 1938. In this book, the poet gives his name simply as “Shaw Neilson”.] Beauty Imposes Some Recent Verse By Shaw Neilson Contents [Publisher’s note] The Theme Eternal The Road to the … [Read more...] about Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse [by John Shaw Neilson, 1938]
To a Sea Curlew [poem by John Shaw Neilson, 1942]
[Editor: A poem by John Shaw Neilson. Published in the Jindyworobak Anthology, 1942.] To a Sea Curlew Unwanted, uninvited, supercilious — Such impudence I have not heard before. Your constant invitation to be bilious Insults me to the core. Luckily your cowardice is … [Read more...] about To a Sea Curlew [poem by John Shaw Neilson, 1942]
The Sundowner [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: A poem by John Shaw Neilson. Published in Beauty Imposes: Some Recent Verse (1938) and the Jindyworobak Anthology, 1942.] John Shaw Neilson The Sundowner I know not when this tiresome man With his shrewd, sable billy-can And his unwashed democracy His … [Read more...] about The Sundowner [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Gentle Water Bird [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Gentle Water Bird (For Mary Gilmore) In the far days, when every day was long, Fear was upon me and the fear was strong, Ere I had learned the recompense of … [Read more...] about The Gentle Water Bird [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Ballad of Remembrance [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Ballad of Remembrance I met a man out Bathurst way in the middle of the year, He had an honest, kindly face and eyes without a fear; A pleasant man to look upon … [Read more...] about The Ballad of Remembrance [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Song for a Honeymoon [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Song for a Honeymoon The bells have bidden me speak my heart; and the glistening pair I know Have both defied me to fashion a song to quicken them into the glow; Have … [Read more...] about Song for a Honeymoon [poem by John Shaw Neilson]