[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Where the Dead Men Lie Out on the wastes of the Never Never — That’s where the dead men lie! There where the heat-waves dance for ever — That’s where the dead men … [Read more...] about Where the Dead Men Lie [poem by Barcroft Boake]
melancholy poetry
At Devlin’s Siding [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] At Devlin’s Siding What made the porter stare so hard? what made the porter stare And eye the tall young woman and the bundle that she bare? What made the tall young … [Read more...] about At Devlin’s Siding [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Skeeta [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Skeeta Our Skeeta was married! our Skeeta! the tomboy and pet of the place — No more as a maiden we’d greet her; no more would her pert little face Light up the chill … [Read more...] about Skeeta [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Babes in the Bush Dozens of damp little curls; One little short upper lip; Two rows of teeth like diminutive pearls; Eyes clear and grey as the creek where it … [Read more...] about The Babes in the Bush [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Box-Tree’s Love [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Box-Tree’s Love Long time beside the squatter’s gate A great grey Box-Tree, early, late, Or shine or rain, in silence there Had stood and watched the seasons … [Read more...] about The Box-Tree’s Love [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jim’s Whip. Yes! there it hangs upon the wall And never gives a sound: The hand that trimmed its greenhide fall Is hidden underground — There, in that patch of sallee … [Read more...] about Jim’s Whip [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Grave [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Eliza Fullerton was published in Moods and Melodies: Sonnets and Lyrics (1908).] The Grave. Alas! thy uncommunicating eyes Are prest in clay; I reach a wistful hand And touch the earth that cannot understand — The earth that on thy earth … [Read more...] about The Grave [poem by Mary E. Fullerton]
All’s Well [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] All’s Well. It is years to-night since alone I sat By a new-made grave on a burial plat, With the night dews o’er me falling. And I cried in my grief, “Oh, God! My … [Read more...] about All’s Well [poem by Louisa Lawson]
A Mother’s Answer [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] A Mother’s Answer. You ask me, dear child, why thus sadly I weep For baby the angels have taken to keep; Altho’ she is safe, and for ever at rest, A yearning to see her … [Read more...] about A Mother’s Answer [poem by Louisa Lawson]
A Child’s Question [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] A Child’s Question. O, why do you weep mother, why do you weep For baby that fell in the summer to sleep? You say that you prayed, when she lingered in pain, That God in … [Read more...] about A Child’s Question [poem by Louisa Lawson]
In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] In Memoriam. White and all waxen a fair maiden lay, White as the snowdrift her beautiful clay. White raiment clothed her, and over her bier White lilies faded, sweet … [Read more...] about In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson]
My Nettie [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] My Nettie. With rapture I gaze, for by faith do I see The child that my Saviour has taken from me, Secure in his arms in that beautiful place, A radiance of glory … [Read more...] about My Nettie [poem by Louisa Lawson]
In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] In Memoriam. One little blossom cut down in a day, One little pet called away from her play. One little struggle — thank God it is brief! One little stricken one gaining … [Read more...] about In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson]
The Hill of Death [poem by Louisa Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).] The Hill of Death. No downward path to death we go, Through no dark shades or valleys low, But up and on, o’er rises bright, Toward the dawn of endless light. For not … [Read more...] about The Hill of Death [poem by Louisa Lawson]
The Ill-Fated [poem by L. L., 11 February 1843]
[Editor: This poem, by “L. L.”, was published in The Sun, and New South Wales Independent Press (Sydney, NSW), 11 February 1843.] The Ill-Fated. Oh, let me gaze on the beauteous dead: The spell of life hath broken, For brighter joys which around us shed, Deeper sorrows … [Read more...] about The Ill-Fated [poem by L. L., 11 February 1843]
Brown Eyes [poem by E. J. Brady]
[Editor: This poem by E. J. Brady was published in Bush-land Ballads (1910).] Brown Eyes This is the ballad of Brown Eyes, sung by a Man of Sin, Saved from the Slough of Despond his soul hath wallowed in. * * * She dwelled with her great-limbed clansmen; I was a … [Read more...] about Brown Eyes [poem by E. J. Brady]
With the Angels [poem by Agnes Neale]
[Editor: This poem by Agnes Neale was published in Shadows and Sunbeams (1890).] With the Angels. My darling! my beautiful darling! So full of the glory of life — So full of the splendor and sweetness With which the strong sunshine is rife. You are lovely, my … [Read more...] about With the Angels [poem by Agnes Neale]
The Bridge of Sighs [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
[Editor: This poem by Kenneth Mackay was published in Stirrup Jingles from the Bush and the Turf and Other Rhymes (1887).] The Bridge of Sighs. Along the bridge the people pass; The river, like dark gloomy Styx, A stream in which each sex and class Who cross must … [Read more...] about The Bridge of Sighs [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Stockman’s Offering [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
[Editor: This poem by Kenneth Mackay was published in Stirrup Jingles from the Bush and the Turf and Other Rhymes (1887).] The Stockman’s Offering. Alright, boss! If a yarn I must spin, Leastways it won’t be a cuffer, Although, how this here pitch to begin I don’t … [Read more...] about The Stockman’s Offering [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Requiescat [poem, 28 October 1905]
[Editor: A poem published in The Record, 28 October 1905.] Requiescat. She was sweeter by far than the flowers of May, And we loved her as passionate lovers, Who live in the light of the beautiful day That love in its blindness discovers. Her music was strange to this … [Read more...] about Requiescat [poem, 28 October 1905]
Araluen [poem by Henry Kendall, 27 September 1879]
[Editor: A poem by Henry Kendall, regarding the death of his baby daughter. Published in The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, 27 September 1879. It was also published in Songs from the Mountains (1880).] Araluen. Take this rose and very gently place it on the … [Read more...] about Araluen [poem by Henry Kendall, 27 September 1879]
The Lad Who Started Out [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Lad Who Started Out October and the shining air put wondrous thoughts in him; And he could fight and climb and ride, and he could shoot and swim: The baby was … [Read more...] about The Lad Who Started Out [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
He Sold Himself to the Daisies [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] He Sold Himself to the Daisies He stayed too long in the sunlight, He was so thin and shy, He sold himself to the daisies When no one strove to buy. They called … [Read more...] about He Sold Himself to the Daisies [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Sacrifice [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Heart of Spring (1919), Ballad and Lyrical Poems (1923), and Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Sacrifice White for the grave, strange-eyed and sable-dressed, Is this my love so quietly doth … [Read more...] about The Sacrifice [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Fighting in France [poem by “Dryblower” Murphy, 1926]
[Editor: This poem by “Dryblower” Murphy was published in Dryblower’s Verses (1926).] Fighting in France. Perth daily paper ad.:— “Will some kind person adopt a motherless baby girl? Father killed in France?” Are you list’ning, O, Heavyheart, childless and lone? Are … [Read more...] about Fighting in France [poem by “Dryblower” Murphy, 1926]