Delightful, Thomas. It always seems like a missed opportunity to read poems about being on horseback that ignore meter, but you have used it to the full. I was reminded of the Snowy River poem, so it was fun to see you reference that in your notes. Congratulations on the win!
Agreed! I have always associated anapests with the gait of a horse so it seemed a natural fit for the sound to follow the sense in that way. The bush balladeers used this to full effect, it's something I've always loved about their poetry.
Regarding the Snowy River poem, after I shared this poem with friends who live in New South Wales, they told me they read it aloud with their middle school age daughter who loves horses, and it turns out her class has been studying & memorizing Snowy River! lovely connections.
I really enjoyed this. Besides the Australian poems you mentioned, it reminds me of several poems of Robert Service, who often used this exact form. He was writing about the gold rush in the frozen north of Alaska, but the sense of men confronting these wild spaces was there also. Your poem is every bit as good as the best of his.
Thank you Stuart, you are very kind. I'd never read any Robert Service, but after you mentioned him I looked up some of his work and I really enjoyed it, I can see a lot of similarities to the Australian bush style. There seems to be a certain wit and irony that comes through these poems that are describing harsh and inhospitable places poetically.
Yes, there are a lot of similarities beyond the verse style. I think these types of poems developed independently at around the same time, so the fact that they are thematically so similar says to me that there is something common to the experience of all rough-and-ready men living in untamed places.
An extraordinary window into a world faaaar beyond my reach here in lonesome Texas, haha. I feel enraptured by the picturesque scenes you paint. And while it took me a bit to realize I was reading anapests, the meter and rhythm certainly kept pulling me forward with the story!
Thanks Brooklyn! Even for most Australians the far north is a strange and foreign world, but one with some of the most beauty to be found anywhere in the country.
Thanks Tim, I knew I wanted the last word to be Australia from the beginning, in fact I think the final stanza was one of the first ones I wrote, and then worked my way towards the ending.
Really wonderful. It flows pleasantly and I love the swaying rhythm to it. Congratulations on the award! As a person myself, I'd say it's well deserved.
Thanks Clara! I love writing in anapests, it gives the poem a wonderfully rollicking momentum that lends itself to ballads and particularly to descriptions of horse-riding.
I like the stanza breaks. ;)
How good are stanza breaks 😂
Bravo! Anapests and a poem which tells a story -- two things I love.
Haha, it seems we love the same things!
Delightful, Thomas. It always seems like a missed opportunity to read poems about being on horseback that ignore meter, but you have used it to the full. I was reminded of the Snowy River poem, so it was fun to see you reference that in your notes. Congratulations on the win!
Agreed! I have always associated anapests with the gait of a horse so it seemed a natural fit for the sound to follow the sense in that way. The bush balladeers used this to full effect, it's something I've always loved about their poetry.
Regarding the Snowy River poem, after I shared this poem with friends who live in New South Wales, they told me they read it aloud with their middle school age daughter who loves horses, and it turns out her class has been studying & memorizing Snowy River! lovely connections.
That’s wonderful, thank you for sharing! It’s so good to hear that some schools are still passing on our Australian poetic tradition.
I really enjoyed this. Besides the Australian poems you mentioned, it reminds me of several poems of Robert Service, who often used this exact form. He was writing about the gold rush in the frozen north of Alaska, but the sense of men confronting these wild spaces was there also. Your poem is every bit as good as the best of his.
Thank you Stuart, you are very kind. I'd never read any Robert Service, but after you mentioned him I looked up some of his work and I really enjoyed it, I can see a lot of similarities to the Australian bush style. There seems to be a certain wit and irony that comes through these poems that are describing harsh and inhospitable places poetically.
Yes, there are a lot of similarities beyond the verse style. I think these types of poems developed independently at around the same time, so the fact that they are thematically so similar says to me that there is something common to the experience of all rough-and-ready men living in untamed places.
WOW - I felt I was there on the muster. Excellent imagery.
It’s an experience that lives vividly in my memory, I’m glad you could share in it!
An extraordinary window into a world faaaar beyond my reach here in lonesome Texas, haha. I feel enraptured by the picturesque scenes you paint. And while it took me a bit to realize I was reading anapests, the meter and rhythm certainly kept pulling me forward with the story!
Thanks Brooklyn! Even for most Australians the far north is a strange and foreign world, but one with some of the most beauty to be found anywhere in the country.
Fabulous. I love this kind of long narrative poem. I especially appreciate your ability to bring it home in Australia.
Thanks Tim, I knew I wanted the last word to be Australia from the beginning, in fact I think the final stanza was one of the first ones I wrote, and then worked my way towards the ending.
We need to set this to folk music ASAP
Thanks for sharing, Thomas. This is excellent. I'm unfamiliar with the contest, but had I been I'm sure I'd have voted for you. Ha!
Haha thanks Zane, that means a lot!
This is poetry ! I’ve been asking that question for a week and figured I would know it when I saw it
damn, this sings from top to bottom. superb blend of meter and narrative flow. great work, brother
Thanks Troy, I appreciate it 🙏
Really wonderful. It flows pleasantly and I love the swaying rhythm to it. Congratulations on the award! As a person myself, I'd say it's well deserved.
Thanks Clara! I love writing in anapests, it gives the poem a wonderfully rollicking momentum that lends itself to ballads and particularly to descriptions of horse-riding.
Beautiful. I love the vivid descriptions.
Thank you Jenna :)
I'm old..I'm Australian..and I love it. Thank you.
You're welcome Trish, thank you for reading.
Congratulations on the prize, even more congratulations on the formatting!
I hired a professional ENTER key presser, not cheap but I was happy with the results 100% worth it. 🙏