A Ballade of Serious Matters
(Verse doesn’t grow on trees, you know. Blood, sweat and tears, that’s what it is.)
There are those who suppose I lack bottom,
But my writings consistently show
If it’s balls you require, then I’ve got ’em,
Plus the spirit of get-up-and-go.
Ah, to hell with it, what do they know?
I eschew their ridiculous chatter.
All their foreheads are villainous low
And Life is a serious matter.
I am known for my notions of rightness.
Though I might have internally groaned
I exemplified perfect politeness
When the Literary Editor phoned.
Though dead drunk, or quite possibly stoned,
He implored me to stay for a natter,
Then he mumbled and muttered and moaned!
Still, Work is a serious matter.
As a poet I’m one of the winners
I’m the favourite bard of the stars.
They arrive at my publishers’ dinners
In flotillas of luxury cars
For spam fritters and frozen Mars bars
Fried in thick, oleaginous batter,
Cherry whisky and Russian cigars,
For Diet’s a serious matter.
Ah, my Prince, it was good as a play
When they brought in your head on a platter
And it rose from the gravy to say
That Death is a serious matter.
Madam: Archbishop Fisher (July-August 2024) does not resist the attacks on his church by the political, social or scientific atheists and those who insist on not being told what to do.
Aug 29 2024
6 mins
To claim Aborigines have the world's oldest continuous culture is to misunderstand the meaning of culture, which continuously changes over time and location. For a culture not to change over time would be a reproach and certainly not a cause for celebration, for it would indicate that there had been no capacity to adapt. Clearly this has not been the case
Aug 20 2024
23 mins
A friend and longtime supporter of Quadrant, Clive James sent us a poem in 2010, which we published in our December issue. Like the Taronga Park Aquarium he recalls in its 'mocked-up sandstone cave' it's not to be forgotten
Aug 16 2024
2 mins