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Notes
-
Dedication: Dedicated to Marion St John Baker, my family and the many wonderful human beings who in kindness and friendship gave me encouragement to persist when I no longer had the will to persist and encouragement to hope when there was no longer any reason for hope. These poems spring from the sorrow and disappointment of my people, the landless; and this gentle accusation is directed at those who have not been worthy of the generosity of my father's country.
-
Most of the poems in this collection were written in prison, where Gilbert spent 14 years for killing his wife. He was released in 1971.
Contents
* Contents derived from the
Sydney,
New South Wales,:Island Press
, 1971 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
- Earthi"I am earth", single work poetry (p. 1-2)
- The First Shipi"A strange swan from the spirit world", single work poetry (p. 3)
-
The Gurindji : News Item; `Fasting' 25/10/70i"They fast",
single work
poetry
(p. 4)
Note: With title: Gurindji
- When Cook Camei"Slip away to the north,", single work poetry (p. 5)
- Song of the Brolgai"The brolga danced upon the shore", single work poetry (p. 6)
- End of Dreamtimei"The pipes of my people drone a song of sadness", single work poetry (p. 7)
- Anthem : The Blessed Landi"Roll out the drums of glory", single work poetry (p. 8)
- Inhabitant of the Third Worldi"They called me, Kalari, a "Pommy" and "Gub"", single work poetry (p. 9-11)
- Once upon a Poemi"Write beauty", single work poetry (p. 12)
- Pardon My Ignorancei"Should tears be asked to change their form,", single work poetry (p. 13)
- Reply to Empty Dreamsi"Dear Kath,", single work poetry (p. 14)
- People are Legendsi"Kill the legend butcher it with your acute cynicisms", single work poetry (p. 15)
- Gonei"Gulls fly in from storm at sea", single work poetry (p. 16)
- Extracts from a Letteri"... and I would part the weeping willows", single work poetry (p. 17)
- Nanimai"I sat in the dust", single work poetry (p. 18-19)
- Song from 'Forest Eve'i"Nunoona, Nunoona", single work poetry (p. 20)
- Nooni's Bunyip Storyi"`My aunt, my father we all lived in that", single work poetry (p. 21-23)
- Corroboreei"Whereaway oh Coontajerra", single work poetry (p. 24)
- Land Claimsi"The song of the inland river", single work poetry (p. 25)
- Where Nomads Treadi"A sun scorched sea", single work poetry (p. 26)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
The Poetry of Politics : Australian Aboriginal Verse
1989
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Black Words, White Page : Aboriginal Literature 1929-1988 1989; (p. 179-229) In this chapter the broad range of Aboriginal verse is examined to illustrate the diversity and talent of contemporary Black Australian poets. Shoemaker argues that any dismissal of Aboriginal poetry as simply propaganda is inaccurate and unfair. Aboriginal poetry ranges from the overtly political to celebrations of nature. The political stance of the writers is considered as well as the particular social conditions in which the writers live - and which they often address in their work. The works of Aboriginal poets Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert, Colin Johnson, Lionel Fogarty and Aileen Corpus are examined. To emphasise the distinctive elements of writing produced by Aboriginal poets, Shoemaker provides a brief comparison to the work of selected white poets, Les Murray and Bruce Dawe. He also demonstrates the Fourth World dimension and increasingly oral predisposition of Australian Aboriginal verse by contrasting it with the poetry of contemporary Canadian Indian writers. -
Backgrounds to Aboriginal Literature
1988
single work
essay
— Appears in: Black Voices , vol. 4 no. 1 1988; (p. 42-55) -
The Aboriginal Poets in English : Kath Walker, Jack Davis, and Kevin Gilbert
1977
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Meanjin , Aboriginal Issue [Summer] vol. 36 no. 4 1977; (p. 446-461) -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: Identity , January vol. 1 no. 3 1972; (p. 40)
— Review of End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry -
Private Poets
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 8 January vol. 94 no. 4788 1972; (p. 34-35)
— Review of Where the Wind Came : Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; Selected Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; The Pen of Feathers : Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry ; The First-Born and Other Poems 1970 selected work poetry
-
Some Recent Australian Poetry
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: Poetry Australia , no. 43 1972; (p. 59-64)
— Review of Winter Matins, and Other Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; The Pen of Feathers : Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; You Can Hear Grass Grow 1971 selected work poetry ; Condolences of the Season : Selected Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry -
Private Poets
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 8 January vol. 94 no. 4788 1972; (p. 34-35)
— Review of Where the Wind Came : Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; Selected Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; The Pen of Feathers : Poems 1971 selected work poetry ; End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry ; The First-Born and Other Poems 1970 selected work poetry -
Untitled
1972
single work
review
— Appears in: Identity , January vol. 1 no. 3 1972; (p. 40)
— Review of End of Dream-Time 1971 selected work poetry -
Backgrounds to Aboriginal Literature
1988
single work
essay
— Appears in: Black Voices , vol. 4 no. 1 1988; (p. 42-55) -
The Aboriginal Poets in English : Kath Walker, Jack Davis, and Kevin Gilbert
1977
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Meanjin , Aboriginal Issue [Summer] vol. 36 no. 4 1977; (p. 446-461) -
The Poetry of Politics : Australian Aboriginal Verse
1989
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Black Words, White Page : Aboriginal Literature 1929-1988 1989; (p. 179-229) In this chapter the broad range of Aboriginal verse is examined to illustrate the diversity and talent of contemporary Black Australian poets. Shoemaker argues that any dismissal of Aboriginal poetry as simply propaganda is inaccurate and unfair. Aboriginal poetry ranges from the overtly political to celebrations of nature. The political stance of the writers is considered as well as the particular social conditions in which the writers live - and which they often address in their work. The works of Aboriginal poets Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert, Colin Johnson, Lionel Fogarty and Aileen Corpus are examined. To emphasise the distinctive elements of writing produced by Aboriginal poets, Shoemaker provides a brief comparison to the work of selected white poets, Les Murray and Bruce Dawe. He also demonstrates the Fourth World dimension and increasingly oral predisposition of Australian Aboriginal verse by contrasting it with the poetry of contemporary Canadian Indian writers.
Last amended 1 Oct 2007 16:49:41
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