[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]
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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]
A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Vision Out West Far-reaching downs, a solid sea sunk everlastingly to rest, And yet whose billows seem to be for ever heaving toward the west The tiny field-mice make … [Read more...] about A Vision Out West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Josephus Riley The rum was rich and rare: There were wagers in the air: The atmosphere was rosy, and the tongues were wagging free; But one was in the revel Whose … [Read more...] about Josephus Riley [poem by Barcroft Boake]
A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] A Memory Adown the grass-grown paths we strayed: The evening cowslips oped Their yellow eyes to look at her; The love-sick lilies moped With envy that she rather … [Read more...] about A Memory [poem by Barcroft Boake]
Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] Jack’s Last Muster The first flush of grey light, the herald of daylight, Is dimly outlining the musterers’ camp, Where over the sleeping the stealthily … [Read more...] about Jack’s Last Muster [poem by Barcroft Boake]
From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
[Editor: This poem by Barcroft Boake was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] From the Far West ’Tis a song of the Never Never land — Set to the tune of a scorching gale On the sandhills red, When the grasses dead Loudly rustle, and bow the … [Read more...] about From the Far West [poem by Barcroft Boake]
The Land of Dumb Despair [poem by W. H. Ogilvie]
[Editor: This poem by W. H. Ogilvie was published in Where the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897).] The Land of Dumb Despair. Beyond where farthest drought-fires burn, By hand of fate it once befell, I reached the Realm of No-Return That meets the March of Hell. A … [Read more...] about The Land of Dumb Despair [poem by W. H. Ogilvie]