[Editor: This poem by Kenneth Mackay was published in Stirrup Jingles from the Bush and the Turf and Other Rhymes (1887).] The Old Jockey and his Mount: Or Turf Tattle. So you’ve come for a pat and a rub, old man, And I daresay for something sweet? Well, then, … [Read more...] about The Old Jockey and his Mount: Or Turf Tattle [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Stirrup Jingles from the Bush and the Turf and Other Rhymes (Kenneth Mackay 1887)
In Memory of ———— [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).] In Memory of ———— I saw thee first, my peerless one, ’Neath soft Australian skies; What time the rays of summer sun On far blue summits dies. The … [Read more...] about In Memory of ———— [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Voices of the Night [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).] Voices of the Night. At times when sleep has almost won its way, As thick its heavy chains around me twine, I hear a chord of some far-distant … [Read more...] about Voices of the Night [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Fair is Thy Form [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).] Fair is Thy Form. Fair is thy form where love half-sleeping lies, Tender thy voice as the last note that dies On summer air, when breezes soft and … [Read more...] about Fair is Thy Form [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
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]
Kendall [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). It was written in memory of the poet Henry Kendall, who died in 1882.] Kendall. Mourn, O sea, that he is dead! Clouds your tears above him … [Read more...] about Kendall [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Old Actor — A Memory [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 Old Actor — A Memory. ’Tis years ago, and memories have grown dim, For fled the lights that lit them to the mind: Alas! I’ve heard each soul’s … [Read more...] about The Old Actor — A Memory [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Motherhood [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).] Motherhood. Two cherubs lie in happy sleep Within the hollow of a tree. Above, the May leaves lazy sweep; Low hums the bee. A couch of snowy … [Read more...] about Motherhood [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Spirits of the Dead [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 Spirits of the Dead. Sitting lonely in the silence, come the phantoms of the past, And across my heated fancy are their shadows swiftly … [Read more...] about The Spirits of the Dead [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Old Faces in the Fire [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).] Old Faces in the Fire. How often in the eventide, When sitting by the fire, The forms of dear ones who have died Rise from the glowing pyre; And … [Read more...] about Old Faces in the Fire [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Hypatia [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).] Hypatia. She pants along the marble nave Like wounded doe by hounds hard pressed, Or tired swimmer when some wave Has struck his breast. And as … [Read more...] about Hypatia [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Love Maiden [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 Love Maiden. He comes out from the deeper shades To where, amid the golden light That kisses soft the wattle glades, She stands in robes of … [Read more...] about The Love Maiden [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Meanderings in an Austral Arcady [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).] Meanderings in an Austral Arcady. Dreamland! ere the rude awaking, When our hopes were all of Spring, And each rosy morning, breaking, Bore new … [Read more...] about Meanderings in an Austral Arcady [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
A Back Country Race Meeting [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).] A Back Country Race Meeting. So you’re tired of our civilised racing, And sick of the din of the ring, — I suppose you’ve been playing at … [Read more...] about A Back Country Race Meeting [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Gold Digger’s Yarn [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 Gold Digger’s Yarn. “What, turning in? why have another fill man! — Joe, pitch that bit of box upon the fire, I’ll trouble you this way to pass … [Read more...] about The Gold Digger’s Yarn [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Swagsman’s Find [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 Swagsman’s Find. Very well, if I must, just fill up once more, — Now. Temple, pass on the bottle! For a joker so small, as I said … [Read more...] about The Swagsman’s Find [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Shearer Shorn [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 Shearer Shorn. The fire’s a bit low; put those pine sticks Round the billy, while I turn the cakes! — The damper we had at the “salt … [Read more...] about The Shearer Shorn [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]
A Black Reckoning [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).] A Black Reckoning. “You want to know why I’ve wandered away Alone like a beaten dog?” Said the old sheep super Harrison Grey “Well, take a seat on … [Read more...] about A Black Reckoning [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Old Shepherd [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 Old Shepherd. Deep in the shades of an Australian forest, Built from such trees as round it shadows cast, Stands a rude hut, now but a ruined … [Read more...] about The Old Shepherd [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Bush Fire [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 Bush Fire. In days when breath comes short and fast, And birds are still with stifling heat; While clouds of dust are upwards cast By weary … [Read more...] about The Bush Fire [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Black King’s Skull [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 Black King’s Skull. One night, when round the walls with dismal shrieks The winds of winter blew, And sudden rains had filled the forest … [Read more...] about The Black King’s Skull [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Bushed [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).] Bushed. ’Tis night once more, my horse is done, No sign of life is there! Surely I know that blasted gum — I’ve seen that hill-top bare. But why … [Read more...] about Bushed [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
Skeleton Creek [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).] Skeleton Creek. Where leaves are wet with tears of spring, And odours rare of wattle bloom Float on the breath of winds that bring From forest … [Read more...] about Skeleton Creek [poem by Kenneth Mackay]
The Muster [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 Muster. The Stockyard posts are rotten, And weeds the panels fill; The stockmen are forgotten, Their whips for ever still. Gone is the rush … [Read more...] about The Muster [poem by Kenneth Mackay]