AustLit

'Alfredson has many moods, many dictions, many themes. He at once glories in and laments the ephemeral, the only lasting quality in his world. This harmonises with his Buddhist outlook on life. His is a religious sensibility that draws, however, on many traditions and myths, one of respect for all beings, the soils, the rocks, the plants, the people and other animals, the living, the dead. The moods range widely, from the tortures of mental illness through deep serenity to fun, love joys, wry humour and satire. He works with sharp thoughts, sharp images and often singing words. He writes and translates in varied forms from ancient to disciplined free verse and has a way of surprising even his poet friends.' (Publication summary)