"Bush" poetry

[Neville Briggs]

I have had plenty to say on this subject before. So I just make a couple of short observations. If you want to think Heather, perhaps think about these.

How do we move from what is; to, what ought to be. What establishes the basis or authority for what must be.
In other words when we pronounce "rules' or " requirements " we ask " Sez Who ? "
Isn't it such that the lord of creation is the creator.

In the arts, nothing seems to kill liveliness and creativity more than rigid dogmatism.
( My opinion based on my sparse knowledge of historic artistic movements)

What does all that mean. I'll let you work it out.

Keep up the good work Heather. I think you're going really well in your writing.
Maybe we'll see you having a go at the Poettes walk-up at Tamworth

[Neville Briggs]

[quote="Bob Pacey"] I take that as a challange to display our genre in the best light possible.


Hear, Hear, Hear, Couldn't agree more Bob.

[Robyn]

Hi Marty,
I'm all for a good discussion... I'm too new on the site to know what has been discussed before. I agree with you, there are lots of ways to look at this question... one is, are bush poets a subset of rhyming poets or are the terms interchangeable?
Is there anywhere else for rhyming poets other than ABPA? Should there be, or is it one broad church?
I know that as a modern 'woman on the land' I have wide and varied interests and concerns, and like to write about them. I haven't ever thought that some may be considered bush poetry while others may not... but I'm only new at this writing game and keen to learn!
Cheers
Robyn

[Neville Briggs]

I think a bush poet is whatever you imagine her to be, Robyn

[Frank Daniel]

The foregoing is more or less repetitive of the questions asked over the last twenty years ago by new members as they join our ranks.

I have posted my answer to "Why Bush Poetry" that has been posted at least six or seven times, to satisfy the newer members as often as time required.
It is easy to see why newcomers are asking the same questions, It is confusing, so I hope my post will help.
See the "Why Bush Poetry?" in this section.


Frank Daniel
editor and vice president ABPA

[Irene]

I don't see anything in the definition of 'bush' poetry that says it has to be about the bush!! And I don't see anything that says it has to mention 'Australia'. To me, it is simple. Write about Australia or the Australian way of life (which includes city life, seasons, 'Australian' emotions, etc) in a format that has good rhyme and rhythm. If that same poem could fit into another country, and touch a chord, so be it!! There are similarities in every country, if you look hard enough, and it is certainly self-limiting if we were to only write about something that is 'uniquely' Australian. Again, the definition doesn't say it has to be 'uniquely' Australian!!

At the end of the day, as already mentioned by Marty, the word 'bush' is probably a misnomer, but I guess it was a phrase coined back when Australia was largely considered 'bush' or country, with no big cities to speak of.

Me - I write what is in my heart, and personally, I am not overly concerned as to whether people class it as 'bush poetry' or 'rhyming poetry'. It is an expression of what I feel, or a story I want to impart, or even just a point that I want to get across. It is good that we have a discussion on these issues, but I don't think we will ever really find the answers!! (But it is good fun trying!! )

Catchya
IRene

[Neville Briggs]

Good on you Irene. Well said. I think we should stop looking too hard at the word bush and look harder at the word poetry.

I reckon I'm a bush poet perhaps in the same way as some are bush carpenters or bush lawyers !