Two fresh poems
Two new poems written and read by Patrick McCauley:
The Last Apology.
The apologies have now all been used up.
We are all out of apology.
Those who have not yet received an apology
huddle around red wine
in the suburbs.
We will let no perpetrators
through the curriculum.
Racists will be restored.
We will nurture the race from our blood.
Violence will seep from our bones.
The apologies have now all been made.
All those who have received an apology
now, please
move to the front of the queue.
Those without
serve the food.
Anthropogenic Global Warming.
Do not breathe.
The earth will catch fire.
Do not breed
things that breathe.
Use old blankets for warmth.
Stay cool in the breeze.
All things pass
but for now
do not go far.
Stay still
do not speak
do not breathe.
Things are dying
beneath the oceans.
The invisible force may be upon us.
Do not breathe
It will hear you.
In the dark
there.
It’s just gone
before you woke
it disappeared around the corner.
Whisper to me
on tipy toe
Do not walk around too much.
I am nothing.
Do not breathe
it will hear you.
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