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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Martin Harrison (1949-2014) prepared and delivered this final manuscript at the end of a prolific creative life. With the vulnerability of a lover, the poet peels back one cover of truth after another; reckless for the evidence of the senses, he sifts light, sound, and smell. Poems like the skin of a world: breathing, walking, touching. Martin Harrison's culminating poetic achievement is a crossing over - stylistically, thematically, emotionally. Mapping the tragic chiasmus of love and death, it finally asserts the transcendent power of poetry to bear witness, to join us in a greater communion. Cosmopolitan and local, these triumphs of a 'late style' remind us what poetry is when its mastery allows the irony of existence to walk naked and to exult. ' (Publication summary)
Contents
- Introduction, single work essay (p. vii)
- White Flowersi"The air the wind the outside and outsize", single work poetry (p. 3)
- Wallabiesi"... some memories from somewhere those scattered trees", single work poetry (p. 7-10)
- 'In the Air's Touch, Round...'i"In the air's touch, round", single work poetry (p. 11)
- Poemi"Even for a moment to forget you - that can only be pain", single work poetry (p. 12)
- Patioi"At any moment", single work poetry (p. 13)
- Evening at Homei"Rain means darkness", single work poetry (p. 14-15)
- A Glance, sequence poetry (p. 14-17)
- Poplarsi"Warm cool play of sun on poplars trembling", single work poetry (p. 16-17)
- About Batsi"The bats which got in", single work poetry (p. 18-20)
- Summer Rain Front, North Coasti"A summer rain front laces a trailing hat of mist", single work poetry (p. 21-24)
- Daybreaki"6.30. Start-up. Bird twitter,", single work poetry (p. 25)
- You Do All These Things for Mei"Lemon intensity in each muscle same as frail winter light", single work poetry (p. 26)
- Paris Poems, sequence poetry (p. 26-37)
- A Parki"in the thicket of it all", single work poetry (p. 27-28)
- Leaving Parisi"Harfleur", single work poetry (p. 29-32)
- Watersi"La Seine etait verte", single work poetry (p. 33)
- Cardiogram (May)i"The Seine was green on you arm", single work poetry (p. 34)
- Rue Cuvieri"The fat guy's body language is sprawl and aggro.", single work poetry (p. 35-36)
- Winter Treesi"So how oblivious do you", single work poetry (p. 37-38)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Melody Paloma Reviews Happiness by Martin Harrison
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: Plumwood Mountain [Online] , February 2017;
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Love and All Its Struggles
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2016; (p. 38) The Age , 16-17 January 2016; (p. 31)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Rich Farewell
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December no. 377 2015; (p. 41)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Sharply Attuned to Changes in the Air
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 12-13 December 2015; (p. 27)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Petra White Reviews Martin Harrison
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Cordite Poetry Review , 1 October no. 52.0 2015;
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry
-
Petra White Reviews Martin Harrison
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Cordite Poetry Review , 1 October no. 52.0 2015;
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Sharply Attuned to Changes in the Air
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 12-13 December 2015; (p. 27)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Rich Farewell
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December no. 377 2015; (p. 41)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Love and All Its Struggles
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16-17 January 2016; (p. 38) The Age , 16-17 January 2016; (p. 31)
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry -
Melody Paloma Reviews Happiness by Martin Harrison
2017
single work
review
— Appears in: Plumwood Mountain [Online] , February 2017;
— Review of Happiness 2015 selected work poetry
Awards
- 2016 highly commended Victorian Premier's Literary Awards — Prize for Poetry