A review by stacialithub
The Darkening Ecliptic by Ern Malley

4.0

A fascinating look at a 1940s hullabaloo in the Australian publishing/poetry/art world.

"One of the most remarkable poets of the twentieth century was an Australian called Ern (short for Ernest) Malley. He died at the age of 25, in July 1943, having written only sixteen poems; but his work has continued to be widely read, and to influence younger poets. Compared to contemporaries like T.S. Eliot and Dylan Thomas, Ern Malley had one interesting advatage: he did not exist."

I read this because of s.penkevich's excellent review of Ern Malley's Collected Poems.

This edition contains some historical background & analysis, along with the actual poetry. I'm not much of a poetry reader in general, but I found most of the poems intriguing with a strong visual presence. The entire argument as to whether or not it is "real" poetry (with the authors themselves saying it's not) is certainly unique, as well as ridiculously fun. I fall on the side that it is indeed poetry, even if that is not what they intended.

"What is the moral of this curious story? My own feeling is that Read was correct. In trying to create parody, the two poets produced the poetic equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting. Both were talented poets, and 'letting their hair down' produced some striking and original images."

Shockingly (or not?), publishing this faux poetry later landed publisher Max Harris in hot water & on trial for publishing obscene material.

This is a small, spellbinding slice of Australian artistic history.