Hi there FOXY...

Your English teacher sounded much like my Maths teacher, Mr WALLER, sadly long gone, but it was he that got me my pass in Maths at the Intermediate Certificate examination, in 1956.

He and your English teacher, are too few on the ground these days. From what I've read, our education procedures are no longer appropriate to the technological aspects (apparently) of today. Minor components of English such as spelling, and correct syntax, are now overlooked and considered redundant. As long as the examiner can understand what's written that's all that matters. I wonder ?

O Sung Wu,
What can I say! Have been hooked on poetry since primary school, especially Australian ballads. I can still, with odd prompt, recite My Country by Dorothy McKellar.

Of course I admire the big names like Lawson and Patterson but there is plenty of great stuff written by lessor knowns and many by 'anon'.

These authors would take me far out of the class room with their wonderful words.

Unfortunately verse seems to be out of fashion now, but the other day we had a 'sparky' doing some work here and guess what, he was a whistler and I was amazed because it is years since I heard someone whistling. Again when I was a kid nearly everyone whistled, and how we admired those that could whistle very loudly through their teeth.

Sadly, Australian verse is no longer taught in schools and our history also is hardly mentioned. I doubt if kids today can name any explorers. Try asking a Sydney kid who crossed the Blue Mountains, or a Melbourne kid when was Melbourne first settled?

You have brought back memories and I will likely get out some old books of verse and refresh myself before retiring tonight. Thanks, far better than the idiot box.

Hi there BANJO...

I'm very glad that this humble topic has managed to awaken a very pleasant part of your earlier life, any little bit of joy and happiness should be clutched with both hands, such is the state of the world !

I agree, some of the lesser known names, writing some terrific Aussie poetry, much of it centred around the bush, and of course the various wars we've engaged in. There's a book I've recently purchased, titled; 'The Happy Warrior' - An Anthology of Australian and New Zealand Military Poetry. Material selected and compiled by; WO2 Paul BARRETT and Kerry B. COLLISON. With a forward by; Lt Gen. Sir Peter COSGROVE AC, MC. A brilliant book with some really brilliant material contained therein.

I'd be very pleased if you could find the time to select something that you may care to share with us all BANJO ?

Many thanks my friend.

Dear Foxy and o sung wu,

I am please you enjoyed Magee's poem.

This is his Wikipedia entry;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_Magee,_Jr.

Another favourite for personal reasons is The Pearl Diver by Banjo Patterson.

After leaving the Navy my father worked as a deep sea diver for many years before it took its toll and this was one of those he was most fond of. There are just so many metaphors wrapped up in what on the surface is a relatively simple piece. And this line is just so evocative.

“Kanzo Makame, the diver, failing to quite understand,

Pulled the "haul up" on the life-line, found it was slack in his hand;

Then, like a little brown stoic, lay down and died on the sand.”

http://www.best-poems.net/banjo_paterson/poem-779.html

Add that to this rather un-PC but prescient line;

“You have to be sure of your man

Ere you wake up that nest-ful of hornets -- the little brown men of Japan.”

It is good for the brain and soul to keep the learning going. Modern poetry is a good choice for that. This might be interesting to some I hope and there are useful links at the end.

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/modern-austn-poetry

G'day ONTHEBEACH...

Mate, what a veritable treasure of Oz Poetry links I've seen for awhile ! Many thanks for that I really appreciate it. As you are aware, I'm an academic 'knucklehead' and concerning the finer, more literary pursuits, as well as the Arts, Prose, the Classics, fine Music etc. I only know what I like, and understand.

Many of the great Poets down through the ages, write material in such a manner I find it particularly difficult to fathom ? The complex alliterative styles and awkward techniques of punctuation can prove difficult for me to observe also. Still, I guess I do alright as an ol' goat I suppose ? Those links referring to the famous and not so famous, Aussie Poets is really great, thank you for that ONTHEBEACH.