The Man That Might Have Been

[Heather]

Merci.... it's enough that you lot like it (I don't need trophies to dust!)....

[Duncan Williams]

Great work Heather , really enjoyed your poem. along the same lines as Lawson.

Duncan.

[Gary Harding]

Well done Heather.
I really enjoyed your poem.... and am looking forward to Much More of your work written in the same beautiful traditional style. Such incredible talent you have. Amazing.

[Mal McLean]

I've already told you to stop writing such good poetry Heather.

I know how you struggled in perfecting this one and I still think it is a far better poem than the one I wrote. It should have won something.....

Mal

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, I think it's a great poem too, Heather.

The other biography I would recommend is "The Grey Dreamer" (not a very good title) by Denton Prout.

Does anybody know if Lawson made any specific references to the gap, as he saw it, between what he was and what he felt he might have been?

I suppose the most obvious one is his failure to become internationally famous during his lifetime. I know he went to London with that specifically in mind, and it began well but quickly fell apart.

I believe he also tried to re-cast himself as a novelist, but failed. To what extent that was in innate failing, and to what extent it was induced by depression, difficult circumstances, and the grog, I do not know.

[Heather]

Thanks guys!

Henry also wrote a play - while he was in New Zealand if I remember correctly but I think it was so unweildy it couldn't be put on stage.

Henry was never happy. When he was here in Australia he thought there were greener fields in New Zealand and later England. When in England he was so miserable he wanted to get home. I guess he was a glass- half- empty- sort- of- a -fellow.

Heather

[Catherine Lee]

A bit late to post on this Heather, but have to say I absolutely love it!

[Heather]

You have had a busy afternoon Catherine! Thanks for taking the time to comment - and it's never too late. Glad you like it.

Heather