[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Gentle Water Bird (For Mary Gilmore) In the far days, when every day was long, Fear was upon me and the fear was strong, Ere I had learned the recompense of … [Read more...] about The Gentle Water Bird [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934)
The Ballad of Remembrance [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Ballad of Remembrance I met a man out Bathurst way in the middle of the year, He had an honest, kindly face and eyes without a fear; A pleasant man to look upon … [Read more...] about The Ballad of Remembrance [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Song for a Honeymoon [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Song for a Honeymoon The bells have bidden me speak my heart; and the glistening pair I know Have both defied me to fashion a song to quicken them into the glow; Have … [Read more...] about Song for a Honeymoon [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Bard and the Lizard [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Bard and the Lizard The lizard leans in to October, He walks on the yellow and green, The world is awake and unsober, It knows where the lovers have been: The … [Read more...] about The Bard and the Lizard [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Winter Sundown [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Winter Sundown They falter, they stay not To your eyes and mine, The boatmen in violet On bays of wine. Calm without sorrow, The peace without prayer: All … [Read more...] about The Winter Sundown [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Poor, Poor Country [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Poor, Poor Country Oh ’twas a poor country, in Autumn it was bare, The only green was the cutting grass and the sheep found little there. Oh, the thin wheat and … [Read more...] about The Poor, Poor Country [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Soldier is Home [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Soldier is Home Weary is he, and sick of the sorrow of war, Hating the shriek of loud music, the beat of the drum; Is this the shadow called glory men sell … [Read more...] about The Soldier is Home [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Good Season [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Good Season The old mother talks, and her eyes will be dimming and dimming; It is the good season that comes up, and, “Oh!” she will say, “All summer the ducks do … [Read more...] about The Good Season [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Whistling Jack [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Whistling Jack Not far above me in the boughs he sat, a solemn thing; On the grey limb in grey he sat, he did not move to sing: He was so dumb, he seemed to see no … [Read more...] about The Whistling Jack [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Stolen Lament [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Stolen Lament It has the seal of sorrow; it was born In lamentation where sweet women died And the red smoke came out upon the corn. Leave it in pity — it is … [Read more...] about The Stolen Lament [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Stephen Foster [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Stephen Foster (Composer of “My Old Kentucky Home”) Who was the man? he was not great or wise, He lived in sore distress, Always he went with pity in the eyes For … [Read more...] about Stephen Foster [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Native Companions Dancing [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Native Companions Dancing On the blue plains in wintry days These stately birds move in the dance. Keen eyes have they, and quaint old ways On the blue plains in … [Read more...] about Native Companions Dancing [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
To a Lodging-House Canary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] To a Lodging-House Canary In you are all the good jigs of the Irishman out for a day, Little one! close to the Maker you whistle away. Prisoned, and born in a … [Read more...] about To a Lodging-House Canary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
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]
Half a Life Back [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Half a Life Back Half a life back now the faces careworn or sunny, Stare as we knew them, patient with heavy goodbyes; Yet they give still the good warmth and the … [Read more...] about Half a Life Back [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Lament for Early Buttercups [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Lament for Early Buttercups The lambs are white and lavender, the frost is with the moon, The mushrooms go to God and say they cannot die so soon: Oh, they would see … [Read more...] about Lament for Early Buttercups [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
So Sweet a Mouth Had She [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] So Sweet a Mouth Had She Her eyes foretold of happiness As grapes foretell of wine: Her feet were as the lights that fall In greeneries divine. Her forehead seemed … [Read more...] about So Sweet a Mouth Had She [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 Child Being There [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Child Being There She will be looking at all the bright shops in the town, Some like the sunrise, and some like the sun going down: — “Such lights,” she says, “are … [Read more...] about The Child Being There [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Love in Absence [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Love in Absence When thou art gone but a little way I am in a cold fear: The day like a long sickness is, And I count the moon a year. When thou art gone but a … [Read more...] about Love in Absence [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Flight of the Weary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Flight of the Weary Your feet have been made for the fairies: Your seventeen sorrows are there: The moonlight has been with the sunlight And both have misgoverned … [Read more...] about The Flight of the Weary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Moon was Seven Days Down [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Moon was Seven Days Down “Peter!” she said, “the clock has struck At one and two and three; You sleep so sound, and the lonesome hours They seem so black to … [Read more...] about The Moon was Seven Days Down [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Hen in the Bushes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Hen in the Bushes Call me the man seeing Too much in air: Low by the little hen Love it is there. Winds of the Summer, The red, the unkind, Tilt at her … [Read more...] about The Hen in the Bushes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Colour Yourself for a Man [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Colour Yourself for a Man The seers may chasten; the fools may bid the waters dance uphill; The seers may sorrow that little of all in the world can heed their … [Read more...] about Colour Yourself for a Man [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Irish Welcome [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Irish Welcome All the good drinks are unworthy! No food is too fine! (Though you did hate them, you love them: you cannot decline). Angels are with you! and ten … [Read more...] about The Irish Welcome [poem by John Shaw Neilson]