William O’BrienThe Queenslander 3 Oct 1914 p.28 A bluish haze in the far asternAnd galloping seas between,The last-long look at one’s native land,Where boyhood days we’ve seen.For our bows are dipped in smothering spray,Our course to the setting sun.We’re bound for the front, with foot and horse,And a-clanking steel and gun. The transport reels in … Continue reading A Soliloquy by Lance Corporal William O’Brien (1882-1936)
Poetry
7.31 from Flinders Street
air horn blasting as ribboned light streaks intodark suburban nightrhythmic click-clacksomnolent rockingnodding headsdrop into uneasy dozereader musing book abandonedunseeing eyes reflecting windows' life blaring ringtonequickly answeredtrain's near Coburg be there very soonspeed decreasingslowly slidingtoward the platform'sblazing lightsingle cyclistbike beside himoutstretched handreaching for the doortravellers jostlingonto the platformcrunching footfallsfade into the night _____________________________________________Image by Bianca Mentil … Continue reading 7.31 from Flinders Street
When This Eclipse is Done
I know this pain, this anguished lonely night. My life was so before you gave your heart To me and God did bind us man and wife. Two souls now one, no man can drive apart. Your Love’s alchemy has so altered me, My ice bound heart thawed by your loving glance, That every breath … Continue reading When This Eclipse is Done
Embroidered history
So take a brightly coloured strand and thread it through the eye, then pierce the cloth to draw it on and watch the story grow. With English cloth and English yarn in colours wrung from life, a banner stitched in Canterbury relates the victor's tale. Stem stitches draw the story out, long threads laid side … Continue reading Embroidered history