[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Dusk Now is the healing, quiet hour that fills This gay, green world with peace and grateful rest. Where lately over opalescent hills The blood of slain Day reddened all the west, Now … [Read more...] about Dusk [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Singing Garden (C. J. Dennis 1935)
The quiet hour [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The quiet hour I have found in this Australian scene, of mountain and forest, of shaded creek and fern-filled gully, of cultivated gardens bordered by the virgin bush, much quiet peace and … [Read more...] about The quiet hour [story by C. J. Dennis]
Promise of Spring [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Promise of Spring Spring surely must be near. High overhead The kind blue heavens bend to timbers tall; And here, this morning, is the picture spread That I have learned to love the best of … [Read more...] about Promise of Spring [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Magpie [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Magpie “CalLOG’alloo-ay!” On a windy day. Perched on a tree-top high I pour my notes from a valiant throat; For cock o’ the walk am I! Defiant, loud, superbly proud, My song soars to … [Read more...] about The Magpie [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Pink-breasted Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Pink-breasted Robin A fairy out of fairyland, I flit On visits rare Into your garden and your heart, to sit And charm you there. Tiny and trusting for one winter day; And then … [Read more...] about The Pink-breasted Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Yellow Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Yellow Robin I’m the friendliest of them all, When winter comes; Daily at your door I call Begging crumbs. Clinging sideways to a stake, Eloquent appeal I make. “Spare a scrap for … [Read more...] about The Yellow Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Crow (Australian Raven) [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Crow (Australian Raven) A low-living fellow, I haven’t a friend; My heart, like my habit, is black; My nature is “yellow”; my greed has no end, And every virtue I lack. The aerial … [Read more...] about The Crow (Australian Raven) [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Bronzewing Pigeon [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Bronzewing Pigeon They say I am a shy, wild thing, That seeks the wild bush glade, Quick to be gone on whirring wing, Where strangers should invade; But well I know what all birds know … [Read more...] about The Bronzewing Pigeon [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Satin Bower Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Satin Bower Bird Spare a bloom of blue, lady, To adorn a bower. A violet will do, lady — Any azure flower. Since we hold a dance to-day, We would make our ball-room gay, Where the … [Read more...] about The Satin Bower Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Black Cockatoo [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Black Cockatoo In laboured flight above the gums, Calling its harsh, discordant cry, Our dark, funereal cortège comes To rest a while in tree tops high; Then, flashing many a sable … [Read more...] about The Black Cockatoo [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Currawong [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Currawong I am the cunning one. My shrewd white eye, Peeping from out some hidden harbour green, Watches your household. Patiently I spy Until I learn by heart its whole … [Read more...] about The Currawong [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Blue Wren [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Blue Wren When the Mighty Craftsman drew Summer sky and summer sea — Tints ethereally blue — Here and there a small drop flew From His brush, and fell on me. Once a sober bird of … [Read more...] about The Blue Wren [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The besting of Bombastes [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The besting of Bombastes On the day that he brought himself first (and very confidently) under our notice we named him “Bombastes Furioso,” without hesitation, for it seemed to us that no … [Read more...] about The besting of Bombastes [story by C. J. Dennis]
The Tree [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Tree I planted here, to-day, a strong young tree. Rich soil it has, and sun, and space to grow; And who, I wonder, in the years to be Will seek its boughs’ soft shade; for well I … [Read more...] about The Tree [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Birdland on the dole [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Birdland on the dole The weather-wise up here in the mountain country amongst the big gums are talking of records. Even the oldest inhabitant admits that “he has never seen the likes … [Read more...] about Birdland on the dole [story by C. J. Dennis]
Winter [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Winter Now golden days of autumn are no more. Down on the forest ruthless Winter frees — First with far rumblings, waxing to a roar — His shouting winds that riot thro’ the trees, Raging … [Read more...] about Winter [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Wonga Pigeon [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Wonga Pigeon Men knew and loved my calling in old days — Days ere a bitter wisdom taught me fear. Trusting and unafraid, I went my ways By many a crude hut of the pioneer; Calling by … [Read more...] about The Wonga Pigeon [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Yellow-tailed Thornbill [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Yellow-tailed Thornbill I’m a fussy little fellow In my kilt of glowing yellow; As about the garden ways I bow and bend, Many a melody I bring to you In the soft, gay songs I sing to … [Read more...] about The Yellow-tailed Thornbill [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Indian Myna [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Indian Myna Gimme the town an’ its clamour an’ clutter; I ain’t very fond of the bush; For my cobbers are coves of the gardens and gutter — A tough metropolitan push. I ain’t never too … [Read more...] about The Indian Myna [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Starlings [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Starlings There’s something in Australian air, Something about Australian sun That reputations one time fair Fall from us, and we are undone. Gay, carefree chatterers at Home, Pert … [Read more...] about Starlings [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Sparrow [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Sparrow I’m a chirpie little chappie. Pertly vulgar, passing vain, Quarrelsome, yet piping, happy, My monotonous refrain. Foraging by shed and stable, Close camp-follower of … [Read more...] about The Sparrow [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Ground Thrush [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Ground Thrush I’m a business man; and I can’t spare time For this fluting and fussing and frilling. The song of my cousin may be sublime, But I never have found it filling. So I run … [Read more...] about The Ground Thrush [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Blue Kingfisher [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Blue Kingfisher Where the little river gleaming Thro’ its shadows, green and cool, Broadens to the quiet dreaming Of a little shady pool; There an azure jewel burning O’er the waters … [Read more...] about The Blue Kingfisher [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Butcher Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Butcher Bird I might charm you with my song, Could you but forget my trade, Where I pipe the autumn long In some bowered wattle glade — Pipe a rollicking refrain Such as Circe might … [Read more...] about The Butcher Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The White Cockatoo [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The White Cockatoo They count me but a common bird, Unworthy of respect, Who see me chained, with mien absurd Striving to croak some alien word Of some strange dialect; A captive robbed … [Read more...] about The White Cockatoo [poem by C. J. Dennis]