ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Now this is not infra dig....,trust me.

I wondered, what those who have an interest in C.J.Dennis would think of this article.

I've lost the article now, it might have been in the Weekend Australian, but I remember that it was by Suzanne Archer, a contemporary Australian poet.

Suzanne Archer put forward her theory that C.J. Dennis was very much influenced by Rudyard Kipling. To support this idea she pointed out that Rudyard Kipling had published a book called Barrack Room Ballads and Other Verses. These were mainly about British Army life and depicted the soldiers in their plain ways, hard life and unsophisticated speech. Kipling made poetry to celebrate the common men who were not so well regarded by " society " This book includes such famous pieces as Gungadin and Danny Deever.
C.J.Dennis produced a book with similarly titled Backblock Ballads and Other Verses. Dennis's book was also about the " common " people with their plain ways and unsophisicated speech, people regarded as " lower" classes by society. Sort of social realism like Kipling. This book of Dennis's included some of the Songs of the Sentimental Bloke.

Interesting theory. I don't think it should detract from either man's stature and Suzanne Archer didn't suggest that. . Just a fascinating insight into how influences in the arts ebb and flow.

Not at all far fetched I wouldn't have thought - they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Yes, it's not a new idea, Neville. I can't imagine why you would think it would detract in the slightest from either of them. That's pretty much how all art works, isn't it?

I don't think it was imitation Maureen, more inspired by perhaps.

Stephen, I said ..I don't think it detracts.

Yes I think you are right all art works like that, we don't work in a vacuum. One reason why I put this up is to encourage our writers here to be bowerbirds at times and look around for things that can be adapted from other places to our style and vision.

on the note that people with similar interests may think similarly -

I have (about two years ago) made a note of an idea to write a poem about the perfect poet's breakfast. The meal consisted of nouns and verbs, fried or toasted served in a sauce of adjectives, with adverbs sprinkled on top. and so on - Recently at an event a poet got up and read her poem which was based on this exact idea. There is an old saying that great minds think alike. This is so true.

Oh dear Zondrae, what a bummer. Like a lady turning up at an event to find another lady wearing a dress patterned the same . Ohhhhh