Re: What's Happening To Our Young Poets?
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:27 am
Two poems from my first book, 'Bush Yarns and Poetry' (1995) have been used almost annually by the Canowindra Primary and High Schools since 1997. One, 'Faraway Dreaming' being part of school concerts. I wrote it while wheat carting at Wandoan Q. in 1979.
FARAWAY DREAMING
© Frank Daniel (at Wandoan Q.) 1979
Last night as I lay sleeping I dreamed of far away
Remembering in my slumber old friends at work and play.
I dreamt I heard sweet music as it filtered through the trees,
Such perfect notes afloating on a lucerne scented breeze.
I heard a band of children from the old Canowindra school
Playing music soft in harmony like ripples on a pool.
I saw their leader take his wand, with magic gestures deft
He drew his urchins into tune, as each one played his best.
And down along Belubula cool water wends its way,
The she-oak and the willow blend in soft idyllic sway.
I saw a golden sunset silhouette the Nangar Range
As day came slowly to an end and darkness filled the plains.
The day turned softly into night, the music ceased to play,
And I woke in dull surroundings from my dreams of faraway.
Yes, my dreams are of Canowindra and that valley far away,
Where lucerne scented breezes fill the air at break of day:
It’s a longing for a home place; it’s somewhere to settle down,
It’s a tugging on my heart strings, it’s my old Canowindra town!
[re-written for the Marti’s Canowindra Balloon Fiesta Album 1996.
Recorded at Nash Chambers Studio, Avoca Beach 1996]
I have had requests from youngsters for permission to recite 'I'm the Man' and 'Aunt Martha' plus a few others.
In 1997 I conducted a workshop for juniors at the National Folk Festival, Canberra. It went quite well, but the idea wasn't kindled enough to be carried on.
My earliest days of poetry were Paterson and Lawson. (Thanks Dad) but one fellow that I relished was a bloke named John Ashe whose songs were recorded by Chad Morgan.
The Boba Woba Wedding. [John Ashe] In A Cemetery. [John Ashe] The Duckinwilla Dance. [Chad Morgan]
These simple songs were easy to follow and all quite humorous - topical and encouraging to me as a kid.
This is what we need for todays kids, the only trouble is that I am not one of today's kids.
Joe
FARAWAY DREAMING
© Frank Daniel (at Wandoan Q.) 1979
Last night as I lay sleeping I dreamed of far away
Remembering in my slumber old friends at work and play.
I dreamt I heard sweet music as it filtered through the trees,
Such perfect notes afloating on a lucerne scented breeze.
I heard a band of children from the old Canowindra school
Playing music soft in harmony like ripples on a pool.
I saw their leader take his wand, with magic gestures deft
He drew his urchins into tune, as each one played his best.
And down along Belubula cool water wends its way,
The she-oak and the willow blend in soft idyllic sway.
I saw a golden sunset silhouette the Nangar Range
As day came slowly to an end and darkness filled the plains.
The day turned softly into night, the music ceased to play,
And I woke in dull surroundings from my dreams of faraway.
Yes, my dreams are of Canowindra and that valley far away,
Where lucerne scented breezes fill the air at break of day:
It’s a longing for a home place; it’s somewhere to settle down,
It’s a tugging on my heart strings, it’s my old Canowindra town!
[re-written for the Marti’s Canowindra Balloon Fiesta Album 1996.
Recorded at Nash Chambers Studio, Avoca Beach 1996]
I have had requests from youngsters for permission to recite 'I'm the Man' and 'Aunt Martha' plus a few others.
In 1997 I conducted a workshop for juniors at the National Folk Festival, Canberra. It went quite well, but the idea wasn't kindled enough to be carried on.
My earliest days of poetry were Paterson and Lawson. (Thanks Dad) but one fellow that I relished was a bloke named John Ashe whose songs were recorded by Chad Morgan.
The Boba Woba Wedding. [John Ashe] In A Cemetery. [John Ashe] The Duckinwilla Dance. [Chad Morgan]
These simple songs were easy to follow and all quite humorous - topical and encouraging to me as a kid.
This is what we need for todays kids, the only trouble is that I am not one of today's kids.
Joe