[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Désirée. Will she spring with a blush from the arms of Dawn, When the sleepy songsters prune Their dewy vestments on bush and thorn, And the jovial magpie winds his … [Read more...] about Desiree [poem by Barcroft Boake]
year1897
Featherstonhaugh [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Featherstonhaugh Brookong station lay half-asleep — Dozed in the waning western glare. ’Twas before the run had been stocked with sheep, And only cattle depastured … [Read more...] about Featherstonhaugh [poem by Barcroft Boake]
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]
On the Range [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] On the Range On Nungar the mists of the morning hung low; The beetle-browed hills brooded silent and black, Not yet warmed to life by the sun’s loving glow, As through … [Read more...] about On the Range [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Kelly’s Conversion [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Kelly’s Conversion Kelly the Rager half opened an eye To wink at the Army passing by, While his hot breath, thick with the taint of beer, Came forth from his lips in a … [Read more...] about Kelly’s Conversion [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Down the River [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Down the River Hark the sound of it; drawing nearer! Clink of hobble and brazen bell Mark the passage of stalwart shearer, Bidding Monaro soil farewell. Where is he … [Read more...] about Down the River [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jack Corrigan [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jack Corrigan ‘It’s my shout this time, boys; so come along and breast the bar, And kindly mention what you’re going to take; I don’t feel extra thirsty, so I’ll sample … [Read more...] about Jack Corrigan [poem by Barcroft Boake]
At the ‘J. C.’ [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] At the ‘J. C.’ None ever knew his name — Honoured, or one of shame, Highborn or lowly; Only upon that tree Two letters, J and C, Carved by him, mark where he Lay … [Read more...] about At the ‘J. C.’ [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Babs Malone [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Babs Malone Now the squatters and the cockies, Shearers, trainers, and their jockeys Had gathered them together for a meeting on the flat; They had mustered all their … [Read more...] about Babs Malone [poem by Barcroft Boake]
On the Boundary [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] On the Boundary I love the ancient boundary-fence — That mouldering chock-and-log: When I go ride the boundary I let the old horse jog, And take his pleasure in and … [Read more...] about On the Boundary [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]
A Song [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Song I’ve a kiss from a warmer lover Than maiden of earth can be: She blew it up to the skies above her, And now it has come to me: From the far-away it has come … [Read more...] about A Song [poem by Barcroft Boake]
’Twixt the Wings of the Yard [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard Hear the loud swell of it, mighty pell-mell of it! Thousands of voices all blent into one: See ‘hell for leather’ now trooping together, … [Read more...] about ’Twixt the Wings of the Yard [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Kitty McCrae The western sun, ere he sought his lair, Skimmed the treetops, and, glancing thence, Rested awhile on the curling hair Of Kitty McCrae, by the boundary … [Read more...] about Kitty McCrae [poem by Barcroft Boake]
An Allegory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] An Allegory The fight was over, and the battle won. A soldier, who beneath his chieftain’s eye Had done a mighty deed and done it well, And done it as the world will … [Read more...] about An Allegory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] How Polly Paid for Her Keep Do I know Polly Brown? Do I know her? Why, damme! You might as well ask if I know my own name! It’s a wonder you never heard tell of old … [Read more...] about How Polly Paid for Her Keep [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Digger’s Song [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Digger’s Song Scrape the bottom of the hole: gather up the stuff! Fossick in the crannies, lest you leave a grain behind! Just another shovelful and that’ll be … [Read more...] about The Digger’s Song [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]
A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Song from a Sandhill Drip, drip, drip! It tinkles on the fly — The pitiless outpouring of an overburdened sky: Each drooping frond of pine has got a jewel at its tip … [Read more...] about A Song from a Sandhill [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Fogarty’s Gin A sweat-dripping horse and a half-naked myall, And a message: ‘Come out to the back of the run — Be out at the stake-yards by rising of sun! Ride hard … [Read more...] about Fogarty’s Gin [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Wayside Queen [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Wayside Queen She was born in the season of fire, When a mantle of murkiness lay On the front of the crimson Destroyer: And none knew the name of her sire But the … [Read more...] about A Wayside Queen [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]
A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Valentine The Bree was up; the floods were out Around the hut of Culgo Jim: The hand of God had broke the drought And filled the channels to the brim: The outline … [Read more...] about A Valentine [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Demon Snow-Shoes [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Demon Snow-Shoes The snow lies deep on hill and dale, In rocky gulch and grassy vale: The tiny, trickling, tumbling falls Are frozen ’twixt their rocky walls That … [Read more...] about The Demon Snow-Shoes [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]