sarahthornton's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful poetry, strong sentiments and a sense of how stagnant the Australian culture has been since the 70's.
archytas's review against another edition
5.0
I am fortunate enough to have heard Oodgeroo read her poetry. Her rhythms are best with sound, beating out a sense of time. She recited slowly, owning the time for each word, and landing the impact of her killer final lines. It was many years ago - she was introduced as Kath Walker then - and I was a wee thing, but I have never forgotten the experience.
Picking up this volume I was a little trepidatious. But while some of the 1960s terminology includes some offensive terms, and her technique can be at times clumsy, there is no questioning how impactful many of these poems are. All One Race, for example, would be more quotable if written with access to modern access to Indigenous terms, but you can't deny the humour and passion of:
A big strength of this poetry doesn't require literary training to parse either. She speaks of lore, of prejudice, of hypocrisy, and does so in frank and simple language.
Other poems deal with Noonuccal culture, such as the humour and rhythm of Jarri's Love Song
This is welcoming poetry, made to make people laugh, and wince and cry and most of all share. And yes, to take action. I had a great time reading it, and frankly, it is a little frustrating that the volume is out of print, and relatively hard to get hold off, given that it is both accessible and significant.
I like the angry stuff, it is in my nature perhaps, but in the end it is a hopefulness that we can learn better that stays with me, and this:
2019 Reading Challenge #2. A book that makes you nostalgic
Picking up this volume I was a little trepidatious. But while some of the 1960s terminology includes some offensive terms, and her technique can be at times clumsy, there is no questioning how impactful many of these poems are. All One Race, for example, would be more quotable if written with access to modern access to Indigenous terms, but you can't deny the humour and passion of:
They’re not interested in brumby runs,
We don’t hanker after Midnight Suns;
I’m for all humankind, not colour gibes;
I’m international, and never mind tribes.
A big strength of this poetry doesn't require literary training to parse either. She speaks of lore, of prejudice, of hypocrisy, and does so in frank and simple language.
Other poems deal with Noonuccal culture, such as the humour and rhythm of Jarri's Love Song
"I got belly-bruise from a club,
But I … got … Nona!
I got a sore where I sit down
But I .. got … Nona.
Lost 'em firesticks, broke it woomera.
No more fishnet, no more tomahawk,
Got no gooreen, got no shield
But I … got … Nona."
This is welcoming poetry, made to make people laugh, and wince and cry and most of all share. And yes, to take action. I had a great time reading it, and frankly, it is a little frustrating that the volume is out of print, and relatively hard to get hold off, given that it is both accessible and significant.
"Pour your pitcher of wine into the wide river
And where is your wine? There is only the river.
Must the genius of an old race die
That the race might live?
We who would be one with you, one people,
We must surrender now much that we love,
The old freedoms for new musts,
Your world for ours,
But a core is left that we must keep always.
Change and compel, slash us into shape,
But nor our roots deep in the soil of old."
I like the angry stuff, it is in my nature perhaps, but in the end it is a hopefulness that we can learn better that stays with me, and this:
"But remember, white man, if life is for happiness,
You too, surely, have much to change."
2019 Reading Challenge #2. A book that makes you nostalgic
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