I recently had the pleasure of writing a guest blog for the fine folks at Aussie Reviews. I chose to write about the real life poets who inspired the creation of the Unknown Digger in my novel Where the Line Breaks. When I started researching Australian war poets for my book, I quickly realised I… Continue reading Aussie Reviews Guest Blog
Tag: poems
Anzac Day 2020
With Anzac Day services a little different this year (instead of heading to the Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park corner by night bus at three in the morning for the dawn ceremony, we woke up and listened to the Last Post in our lounge room while urban foxes walked down the empty street in… Continue reading Anzac Day 2020
Underwear Drawer
Underwear Drawer I have been hurt before, the lacy thing the magician’s assistant. An ordinary chest before your eyes from which I will pluck a heart. I have hurt, the boyfriend cut- too scared to say I’m sorry, too sorry to say I’m scared. I have messed around, with dress ups, pretending I am someone… Continue reading Underwear Drawer
Illawarra Family Tree
Illawarra Family Tree Says the Sylvester boy to young Mary,“Come out Miss Mary, come outand feel the rain.”Red earth under his nailsdrops like tears on his dirty shirt.All the fields open to the sky. Says the Sylvester boy to young Mary,“Will you dance?” as he hums a tunehair over his eyes,and disused laughterrising from her throat.Nails… Continue reading Illawarra Family Tree
Pup
Pup I knew you through photos your tiny pup head/ a sock around your tiny pup chest/ a bowl of food and your tiny pup butt/ redearthrunning itchyfeetsgrr catchtheballmate butimonlytiny andinthefarkin spinifex I watched you through photos getting tiny pup sick/ your hair in bald patches throwing tiny pup up/ and a tiny pup grave… Continue reading Pup
Untitled
I have thought about trivialising this paring its bass notes down to a simplified list or hiding behind cheap laughs, faced with impossible tasks I have been known to panic left with only my poor excuses. Unwilling to accept that I am unable to do justice. What words would work to describe a half-dream to… Continue reading Untitled
I Tell Myself
Every day I must I tell myself. Write and whether it's the hell of holes or the height of sophistication I will honour my family debt. Turn my thoughts to desert life and make believe dogs or war dogs coming out with gross approximations of the real stuff. Punktual as opposed to spunktual or should that… Continue reading I Tell Myself
Wittischisms
When the right thing to say just isn't quite right, say it wrong. Available to purchase at redbubble.com/Wittischisms
And Tonight My Heart
I can't get my head around kissing you this morning and tonight my heart beating ten hours on a plane away Lying here awake and the emptiness in my chest fluttering a hummingbird looking for a home And even with my eyes closed the pupils have pins in them Searching you out
Two Foxes
Two foxes entwined upon a feather bed Twin suns shining on a sleeping world A pair of hearts running to a classic air A bubble, raindrops on an upturned tongue.
Michael Burrows 