Mermer
murmur the name
palm the gleam that summons you to touch
and stroke
yield to the urge to mouth and tongue its length
lip the word
tip-touch an ice-white cheek, carved, curved
and marvel
think thick slabs, thin slices inscribed with
chisel strokes
that mark a deity, a dignitary, a death.
Robyn Lance
NB: mermer is Turkish for marble
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