[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] The Kookaburra When Time first opened her dim eyelids Before the Age of Joy, Before the Sphinx or the Pyramids, Before the Siege of Troy, And before the Alcheringa sighed, In … [Read more...] about The Kookaburra [poem by Louis Esson]
Louis Esson (author) (1878-1943)
Cradle Song [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Cradle Song Baby, O baby, fain you are for bed, Magpie to mopoke busy as the bee; The little red calf’s in the snug cow-shed, An’ the little brown bird’s in the tree. Daddy’s gone … [Read more...] about Cradle Song [poem by Louis Esson]
Whalin’ Up the Lachlan [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Whalin’ Up the Lachlan A Landowner’s Song I’ve eaten bitter bread In sweat wrung from my brow; And earth-bent, hunger-gripped Scarred hands on axe and plough. Now, when the sun is … [Read more...] about Whalin’ Up the Lachlan [poem by Louis Esson]
A Camel Driver [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] A Camel Driver Where the Never Never Sands of Fate unroll Phantom lake and river, Mirage of the soul, There a camel driver gropes in vain endeavour. Mecca-ward he sets Swart face, … [Read more...] about A Camel Driver [poem by Louis Esson]
Wild Bees [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Wild Bees At peep o’ dawn, when the world is still, Hear the magpies calling! We leave our hut upon the hill, Hear the magpies calling! The soil’s unbroken by the plough From gully … [Read more...] about Wild Bees [poem by Louis Esson]
Sunset-Track [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Sunset-Track I hate cramped streets and factory smoke In towns where man but buys and sells, The piston’s thud, the engine’s croak, And sweated labor’s heavy stroke That beats to clang … [Read more...] about Sunset-Track [poem by Louis Esson]
The Mother [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] The Mother The late Spring blooms. The teeming earth Yields fruits and flowers on hill and plain. Along the myrtle track I wait To watch the drovers pass again. Love, once he said, made … [Read more...] about The Mother [poem by Louis Esson]
Spring Cattle [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Spring Cattle With bells the bush tinkles, Men shout, hard hoofs rattle. Spring sharpens the nostrils Of winter-wild cattle. (O the Spring-quickened earth Warm breaths, and birds’ … [Read more...] about Spring Cattle [poem by Louis Esson]
The Old Black Billy an’ Me [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] The Old Black Billy an’ Me The sheep are yarded, an’ I sit Beside the fire an’ poke at it. Far from talk an’ booze o’ men Glad, I’m glad I’m back agen On the station, wi’ me traps An’ … [Read more...] about The Old Black Billy an’ Me [poem by Louis Esson]
Golden Gully [poem by Louis Esson]
[Editor: This poem by Louis Esson was published in Bells and Bees: Verses (1910).] Golden Gully One gleaming sheet the town of tents Across the gully spread. With axe and pick the ranges rang, Wild earth was torn and bled. From far strange lands the diggers … [Read more...] about Golden Gully [poem by Louis Esson]