David Dalton: ‘Final Patient’
Final Patient
My sphygmo lid closes for the last time;
Stiff black bulb, who gave strength to my left hand,
Lay yourself down. No more pumping for you.
My peppy replacement will bring her own,
But it’s electric! That should be a crime—
Moving parts are best, each well-crafted brand
Comfortably balanced; permanently new.
And yes! I’m ignoring you, telephone.
Everything is quiet. Another ghost
Pops down beside me, to poke at my soul;
I didn’t always get it right, but most
Of the time I did—why bother to mull?
More books than one man could possibly read.
Now this desk must be cleared. Drawers emptied.
David Dalton
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