Kevin Densley: ‘Three Bushranger Trials in Berrima, New South Wales, September 1841’ and ‘Contemplation upon the Death Mask of Alban Berg’
Three Bushranger Trials in Berrima, New South Wales, September 1841
There is, sometimes,
a lack of light …
Paddy Curran, tried
for rape and murder.
Found guilty.
Sentence—death.
James Berry.
Guilty of murder.
Death.
John Wright.
Murder.
Death.
After his sentence was passed
the judge extended
no hope of mercy.
Wright thanked His Honour
then coolly asked
if he might have a candle,
as his cell was very dark.
Kevin Densley
Contemplation upon the Death Mask of Alban Berg (1885–1935)
Alban Berg,
in death, looks
deeply sensitive,
eyes closed as if reflecting
upon his final work,
a concerto for violin
composed for a young lady
who died from polio at age eighteen.
He loved this young woman, Manon,
from the time she was born
as if she were his own daughter.
Hence, unsurprisingly wonderful
the concerto’s dedication:
“To the memory of an angel.”
Kevin Densley
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