ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Have you ever seen a picture of Henry Lawson sitting backwards on a chair with his hands clasped in front.
He has a big smile under his mustache. This is the real Henry. The much beloved poet.

Bertha Bredt married Henry and became his crutch. She loved him dearly.
But sadly Bertha became ill and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Leaving Henry to care for two small children.


This poem The Separation is in my opinion Henrys finest poem

This is Henrys reflection of his weaknesses and a how things may have been.

He also acknowledges, and I agree, that under different circumstances, his marriage may have been a success.


So take your time and read the message.

Regards,

John


The Separation


We knew too little of the world,
And you and I were good—
’Twas paltry things that wrecked our lives
As well I knew they would.
The people said our love was dead,
But how were they to know?
Ah! had we loved each other less
We’d not have quarrelled so.

We knew too little of the world,
And you and I were kind,
We listened to what others said
And both of us were blind.
The people said ’twas selfishness,
But how were they to know?
Ah! had we both more selfish been
We’d not have parted so.

But still when all seems lost on earth
Then heaven sets a sign—
Kneel down beside your lonely bed,
And I will kneel by mine,
And let us pray for happy days—
Like those of long ago.
Ah! had we knelt together then
We’d not have parted so.


Good on ya Henry-- This is, and always will be, your finest poem.


John

Lovely John. I was reading a wee bit of Henry in the warm sun myself today. Might go and sit by the fire and read a bit more right now.

Heather

How do you read a wee bit is that some kind of new book ?




Bob

That is opposed to a whole lot of reading, Robert Alan Pacey.

G'day, Heather and Bob.

The last verse in 'The Separation' chokes me up.

Henry, bares his soul.

The simple words is a declaration of love.

Love and resignation.

This poem is a classic... For me.

Good on you Heather. Keep up your passion for Australian poetry. Real poetry.

Yep! I adore Murray. He has a style. Though, he will never, ever, be a great writer like Lawson.

Regards,


John.

I spent the afternoon standing in the surf fishing and practicing my poetry. The good thing is that you can be as loud as you like and when you are the only person on the beach only the gulls can hear you.


Beautiful weather, nice and warm. i will admit i miss my old open fireplace when the weather turns cold Heather. i thought you would be out galavanting and painting the town ?????


Robere

Good on you Bob.


I admire you for your sincerity.

You are a fair dinkum Australian.

The more I read what you write; the more I appreciate Auatralianism.

Dont ever lose your passion, mate.

Keep on writing.

Regards,

John

I could just picture that as the opening scene to a movie . . . or perhaps a comedy sketch? Bob, surf rod in hand - brilliant sun . . a long stretch of Queensland sand, the only sounds the circling gulls and Bobbo reciting 'a dog called sex'.

I agreee, John . . a great Lawson poem. I've always liked 'The glass on the bar'

Marty

John

I have to be honest and tell you I did not read a lot of Lawson as the first ones I read I thought were to political and a bit communistic, of late I have realized what I have denied myself and am madly trying to catch up. Having been married 52 years I can understand the loss he felt that prompted the poem you posted, I know that with out my wife my life would not have been fulfilled.

(Oh dear don’t get soppy Heather will get ya.)

TTFN

G'day John,
Certainly a fine poem, I have always preferred Paterson to Lawson, a bit like Dave I found Lawson a bit on the red side, however, I have always read and enjoyed his stuff never the less. This one is certainly a fine example of his work I must agree!