[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]
recommended poetry
Some of Life’s Joys [poem by L. E. Homfray, 31 May 1934]
[Editor: This poem by L. E. Homfray was published in The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW), 31 May 1934.] Some of Life’s Joys. A shower of rain on the sun-scorched land, The roar of surf, as it greets the sand, A joyous song of some sweet-voiced bird, The flutter of … [Read more...] about Some of Life’s Joys [poem by L. E. Homfray, 31 May 1934]
Anzac Crosses [poem by L. E. H., 18 April 1921]
[Editor: This poem by L. E. Homfray was published in The Bundaberg Mail (Bundaberg, Qld.), 18 April 1921.] Anzac Crosses. The following lines were written in reference to a special Anzac Service held in a country parish in New South Wales where the nearest relatives of … [Read more...] about Anzac Crosses [poem by L. E. H., 18 April 1921]
Bell-Birds [poem by Henry Kendall]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Kendall was published in Leaves from Australian Forests (1869).] Bell-Birds. By channels of coolness the echoes are calling, And down the dim gorges I hear the creek falling: It lives in the mountain where moss and the sedges Touch with … [Read more...] about Bell-Birds [poem by Henry Kendall]
On a Cattle Track [poem by Henry Kendall]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Kendall was published in Leaves from Australian Forests (1869).] On a Cattle Track. Where the strength of dry thunder splits hill-rocks asunder, And the shouts of the desert-wind break, By the gullies of deepness, and ridges of … [Read more...] about On a Cattle Track [poem by Henry Kendall]
No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest [poem by Mary Gilmore, 29 June 1940]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Gilmore was published in The Australian Women’s Weekly, 29 June 1940, during the Second World War (1939-1945).] No foe shall gather our harvest Sons of the mountains of Scotland, Clansmen from correi and kyle, Bred of the moors of … [Read more...] about No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest [poem by Mary Gilmore, 29 June 1940]
Dolly’s Offering [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Dolly’s Offering Dolly has fashioned a wee bird home — two white eggs in a nest: I dare not laugh at a holy thing, or a place where the young may rest: Rude it is, but … [Read more...] about Dolly’s Offering [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Quarrel with the Neighbour [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Quarrel with the Neighbour Clear was the morning (’Twas the time o’ the hay) The little birds running heard All we could say. The quarrel came so … [Read more...] about The Quarrel with the Neighbour [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
All the World’s a Lolly-Shop [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).] All the World’s a Lolly-Shop Life is behind the counter, and he waits on all who buy; He has a sweet for … [Read more...] about All the World’s a Lolly-Shop [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Love’s Coming [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).] Love’s Coming Quietly as rosebuds Talk to the thin air, Love came so lightly I knew not he was … [Read more...] about Love’s Coming [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Eyes of Little Charlotte [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 Eyes of Little Charlotte Now God has made a wistful world And a woman strangely coy: Her eyes say … [Read more...] about The Eyes of Little Charlotte [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Old Granny Sullivan [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). An earlier version includes an additional stanza.] Old Granny Sullivan A pleasant shady place it is, a … [Read more...] about Old Granny Sullivan [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Keening [poem by Marie E. J. Pitt]
[Editor: This poem by Marie E. J. Pitt was published in The Horses of the Hills and Other Verses (1911).] The Keening. We are the women and children Of the men that mined for gold: Heavy are we with sorrow, Heavy as heart can hold; Galled are we with injustice, Sick … [Read more...] about The Keening [poem by Marie E. J. Pitt]
Reveille [poem by Marie E. J. Pitt]
[Editor: This poem by Marie E. J. Pitt was published in The Horses of the Hills and Other Verses (1911).] Reveille. Up! comrades, up! the night has flown, The dawn breaks dim and grey! The bugle-call of strife has blown! Arm! arm you for the fray! O’er hills which … [Read more...] about Reveille [poem by Marie E. J. Pitt]
The Last Barrage [poem, 8 March 1918]
[Editor: A poem published in Aussie: The Australian Soldiers’ Magazine, no. 3, 8 March 1918.] The Last Barrage. When the last barrage has lifted, And the dawn of Right breaks thro’, And back we trail to our Bushland — We will drink, dear friends, to you. We will … [Read more...] about The Last Barrage [poem, 8 March 1918]
The Maid of Gerringong [poem by Henry Kendall]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Kendall was published in Poems and Songs (1862).] The Maid of Gerringong. Rolling through the gloomy gorges, comes the roaring southern blast, With a sound of torrents flying, like a routed army, past, And, beneath the shaggy forelands, … [Read more...] about The Maid of Gerringong [poem by Henry Kendall]
Mountains [poem by Henry Kendall]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Kendall was published in Poems and Songs (1862).] Mountains. Rifted mountains, clad with forests, girded round by gleaming pines, Where the morning, like an angel, robed in golden splendour shines ; Shimmering mountains, throwing downward on … [Read more...] about Mountains [poem by Henry Kendall]
The Grog-an’-Grumble Steeplechase [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in Verses Popular and Humorous, 1900.] The Grog-an’-Grumble Steeplechase ’Twixt the coastline and the border lay the town of Grog-an’-Grumble In the days before the bushman was a dull ’n’ heartless drudge, An’ they say … [Read more...] about The Grog-an’-Grumble Steeplechase [poem by Henry Lawson]
Mary Called Him ‘Mister’ [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in Verses Popular and Humorous, 1900.] Mary Called Him ‘Mister’ They’d parted but a year before — she never thought he’d come, She stammer’d, blushed, held out her hand, and called him ‘Mister Gum.’ How could he know that … [Read more...] about Mary Called Him ‘Mister’ [poem by Henry Lawson]
Years After the War in Australia [poem by Henry Lawson]
[Editor: This poem by Henry Lawson was published in Verses Popular and Humorous, 1900.] Years After the War in Australia The big rough boys from the runs out back were first where the balls flew free, And yelled in the slang of the Outside Track : ‘By God, it’s a … [Read more...] about Years After the War in Australia [poem by Henry Lawson]
Where the Light and the Shadows Lie [poem, 1 February 1903]
Where the Light and the Shadows Lie. Many a wind is blowing, Out from the weary West, Many a wave is chasing Opaline crest on crest ; Many a ship is sailing Over the Austral tide, And all to-night, like a white moth’s flight, Are bound for the Sydney side. Many a … [Read more...] about Where the Light and the Shadows Lie [poem, 1 February 1903]
Australia’s Men [poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 7 August 1915]
[Editor: This poem by Dorothea Mackellar was published in The Armidale Chronicle (Armidale, NSW), 7 August 1915.] Australia’s Men. There are some that go for love of a fight And some for love of a land, And some for a dream of the world set free Which they barely … [Read more...] about Australia’s Men [poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 7 August 1915]
Nationality [poem by Mary Gilmore, 12 May 1942]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Gilmore was published in Australian Poetry 1942 (1942), during the Second World War (1939-1945).] Nationality I have grown past hate and bitterness, I see the world as one; Yet, though I can no longer hate, My son is still my … [Read more...] about Nationality [poem by Mary Gilmore, 12 May 1942]
How M’Dougal Topped the Score [poem by Thomas E. Spencer]
[Editor: This poem by Thomas E. Spencer was published in The Bulletin Reciter, 1901.] How M’Dougal Topped the Score. A peaceful spot is Piper’s Flat. The folk that live around — They keep themselves by keeping sheep and turning up the ground ; But the climate is … [Read more...] about How M’Dougal Topped the Score [poem by Thomas E. Spencer]
Our Darling’s Lover [poem by Menie Parkes]
[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867). It is a somewhat sad composition about the love between a dying baby and the Angel of Death.] Our Darling’s Lover Death fell in love with our darling fair, With bright blue eyes and shining hair, And … [Read more...] about Our Darling’s Lover [poem by Menie Parkes]