ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

That's very well said Stephen.

The best thing Henry Lawson wrote, I think, was a little poem called "Middleton's Rouseabout "


I haven't studied C.J. Dennis in depth. I think that his children's poetry, Book for Kids is very good, one of my favourite poetry books. I can't quite come to terms with C J Dennis's use of phonetic spelling in what seems to be cockney speech in The Sentimental Bloke, and The Glugs of Gosh while a masterful satire, I fear is locked into the past and obscure to present day listeners.
Sorry to sound negative, just a few thoughts, I wouldn't dispute that C J Dennis is a master poet.

Thank you Stephen. As a newbie I tried to work out what other poets had done in the way of metre in order to learn. I found Lawson all over the place sometimes. I love some of his poetry but technically I found him confusing. He doesn't always use proper rhymes, his stanzas don't always have the same pattern etc.

I read his biography by Colin Roderick a little while back and it made me wonder how much work the publishers had to put into his work to correct spelling.

I have some Paterson and C.J. Dennis books but haven't had time to read them in depth as yet.

I'd be really interested in reading your article Stephen.

Heather

Send me an address, Heather, and I'd be happy to send you a copy.

Stephen Whiteside wrote:I think you might be missing the point a bit here. Lawson was not a natural rhyming poet. Paterson and Dennis were, but Lawson wasn't. Lawson's natural talent was writing short stories. He wasn't a novelist, either, but he wrote superlative short stories. He really only wrote rhyming verse because everybody else was, and he wanted to get on the bandwagon.

In terms of poetic 'output', I understand Lawson topped the three (not bad for a bloke who 'failed' year 12).

Ask common old Joe Public who Australia's top three (classical) poets are and Dennis seldom gets mentioned - (maybe CJ tried too hard to be 'common').

Nice try Stephen ...

Sorry, Manfred, but again you're missing the point. I'm not talking about the overall quality or popularity of the poetry, I'm just judging it from a technical point of view, which is how Glenny started this thread.

Hey Glenny,
You should know better than to ask me for help.

I don't claim to be one capable of critiquing the work of others.
Either I like it or I don't.
I read and listen to bush poetry without commenting because the writer has done his or her best and, as in Lawson's case, has been accepted for what he has done.
I understand rhyme and metre and mostly get it right, although I often use sound rhymes if that's what they are called.
I would be the dunce in the class if I was asked to explain stressed and unstressed, anapest and all that other stuff, I just write what I think and feel. I'm not an educated poet, I write mainly for performance, and that is where I guess I shine most.
I never know what you're all talking about when it comes to all those fancy words.

With Henry's "It was somewhere in September, and the sun was going down" I'm sure he meant "anywhere in September" without stipulating that it was up at Bourke in September where I believe it really was, or anywhere else for that matter..
Sweeney, I believe was actually Lawson, seeing himself as a drunk (with a sensual mouth.
In all copies of Sweeney by Henry Lawson I find that he wrote 'Neath the public house veranda' but it was Slim Dusty who changed it to 'Underneath the pub veranda'.
Dunno where I'm going now. But I'm happy for a bloke that didn't get the yr. 12 thingo.

Joe

Well said Frank I'm with you. one day when I get a little older perhaps I might take the time but I never was a good student.

Cheers Bob

Frank
Thank you for saying exactly what I was trying to say though my attempt was poor
I definitely agree that we need structure and I try to maintain that .
But to start nit picking on the Masters' works , seems a bit rich to me.
I think Bush Poets should be endeavouring to maintain the enjoyment factor for the audience and the recognition of well written verse will hopefully come automatically.
Val W

Thank frank yous enlish she betta than mine. Me tinks enjoyment she's wat peoples want them other words you said they's to hi falutin for me. Plain scrub tucker an bush yarns beuty mate

Bill the old Battler

David: Thanks…glad you enjoyed it.

Glenny: Yes, I did write it, and I’m flattered by the “Mr Campbell”. Don’t get that too often these days. I usually answer to: “Hey you!”

Footnote: Have to say I’m with Stephen when it comes to evaluating Dennis. The more I read, the more impressive the incredible variety and complexity of his work becomes.

Cheers
David