On The Borders
---Les Murray

We're driving across tableland
somewhere in the world;
it is almost bare of trees.

Upland near void of features
always moves me, but not to thought;
it lets me rest from thinking.

I feel no need to interpret it
as if it were art. Too much
of poetry is criticism now.

That hawk, clinging to
the eaves of the wind, beating
its third wing, its tail

isn't mine to sell. And here is
more like the space that needs
to exist aound an image.

This cloud-roof country reminds me
of the character of people
who first encountered roses in soap.

Andy's Gone With Cattle
---Henry Lawson

Our Andy's gone to battle now
'Gainst Drought, the red marauder;
Our Andy's gone with cattle now
Across the Queensland border.

He's left us in dejection now;
Our hearts with him are roving.
It's dull on this selection now,
Since Andy went a-droving.

Who now shall wear the cheerful face
In times when things are slackest?
And who shall whistle round the place
When Fortune frowns her blackest?

Oh, who shall cheek the squatter now
When he comes round us snarling?
His tongue is growing hotter now
Since Andy cross'd the Darling.

The gates are out of order now,
In storms the `riders' rattle;
For far across the border now
Our Andy's gone with cattle.

Poor Aunty's looking thin and white;
And Uncle's cross with worry;
And poor old Blucher howls all night
Since Andy left Macquarie.

Oh, may the showers in torrents fall,
And all the tanks run over;
And may the grass grow green and tall
In pathways of the drover;

And may good angels send the rain
On desert stretches sandy;
And when the summer comes again
God grant 'twill bring us Andy.



Post Edited (01-15-05 02:11)

Bushwalking
--Phillip Rush

What inspires a man to climb
The mountains in the autumn-time?
Is it just because they're there?
Or for some idiotic dare?
Or just to prove one's fit enough
To complete a climb that's tough?
Each one of these, at times, is right;
But others climb for sheer delight.

Not for the joy of aching knees,
Or scrambling over fallen trees.
Not for the joy of carrying packs
That cause so many aching backs.
Not for the beads of perspiration,
But for the pure inspiration
Of living pictures unsurpassed
When one gains the peak, at last.

A city dweller cannot see
The view that lies in front of me,
As wearily I sit me down
On Acropolis' crown.
How can one describe the thrills,
As row on row of distant hills
Unfold before my very eyes
Beneath the blue autumnal skies?
And my mountain throne commands
Views of jewelled alpine tarns,
While patches of the brilliant snow
Reflect the sunlight's mystic glow.

Anxieties and troubles cease,
For here the world is all at peace.
Massive cliffs of sombre grey
Stretch towards the timeless day.
And beyond suburban reach
I see the golden native beech.
The photograph and artist's paint
Give but a feeble semblance faint
Of the beauty, vast and grand,
Inherent in our glorious land.
I climb the peaks for inspiration
Of God's incredible creation.

An Exile's Farewell
by Adam Lindsay Gordon

The ocean heaves around us still
With long and measured swell,
The autumn gales our canvas fill,
Our ship rides smooth and well.
The broad Atlantic's bed of foam
Still breaks against our prow;
I shed no tears at quitting home,
Nor will I shed them now!

Against the bulwarks on the poop
I lean, and watch the sun
Behind the red horizon stoop —
His race is nearly run.
Those waves will never quench his light,
O'er which they seem to close,
To-morrow he will rise as bright
As he this morning rose.

How brightly gleams the orb of day
Across the trackless sea!
How lightly dance the waves that play
Like dolphins in our lee!
The restless waters seem to say,
In smothered tones to me,
How many thousand miles away
My native land must be!

Speak, Ocean! is my Home the same
Now all is new to me? —
The tropic sky's resplendent flame,
The vast expanse of sea?
Does all around her, yet unchanged,
The well-known aspect wear?
Oh! can the leagues that I have ranged
Have made no difference there?

How vivid Recollection's hand
Recalls the scene once more!
I see the same tall poplars stand
Beside the garden door;
I see the bird-cage hanging still;
And where my sister set
The flowers in the window-sill —
Can they be living yet?

Let woman's nature cherish grief,
I rarely heave a sigh
Before emotion takes relief
In listless apathy;
While from my pipe the vapours curl
Towards the evening sky,
And 'neath my feet the billows whirl
In dull monotony!

The sky still wears the crimson streak
Of Sol's departing ray,
Some briny drops are on my cheek,
'Tis but the salt sea spray!
Then let our barque the ocean roam,
Our keel the billows plough;
I shed no tears at quitting home,
Nor will I shed them now!

this site has been a GREAT help for me!!!! thanx heaps guys!!
luv,
HP

Bump, for Jasmine.

Les

Bushwalking- good poem

bump, for Alice.

Les

Thanx a lot for those, they're bound to help me in my physical journeys assessment.

Great for assessment thats due tommorow

bump

hey!
i think that this poem is great and really usefull for students doing their HSC due to the similarity of the topic journeys.
nways congratulations n keep it up all the best.

for Dani


Les

thanks plp, i can see you guys are good people and care about the future

this site was gr8... it helped me alot for my HSC... thanx.... Ash xxx

thanx guys this really helps is there any chance you could help me analyse one of them

the poem bushwalking written by phillip rush was one of the best physiacl journey poems i have read.
good poem
..............................................sm

cool story hansel

hey. i have to do an assessment on the topic of 'physical journey'. I had to choose a text about physical journey, i think i am going to choose the poem Bushwalking by Phillip Rush!
Now i have to answer the following question for the task:
"How does this text contribute to your ideas on physical journey?"
Remembering to discuss how the composer presents the ideas on physical journey.
Please help! where should i start to answer this question?!!
Thhis is the poem:
Bushwalking
--Phillip Rush

What inspires a man to climb
The mountains in the autumn-time?
Is it just because they're there?
Or for some idiotic dare?
Or just to prove one's fit enough
To complete a climb that's tough?
Each one of these, at times, is right;
But others climb for sheer delight.

Not for the joy of aching knees,
Or scrambling over fallen trees.
Not for the joy of carrying packs
That cause so many aching backs.
Not for the beads of perspiration,
But for the pure inspiration
Of living pictures unsurpassed
When one gains the peak, at last.

A city dweller cannot see
The view that lies in front of me,
As wearily I sit me down
On Acropolis' crown.
How can one describe the thrills,
As row on row of distant hills
Unfold before my very eyes
Beneath the blue autumnal skies?
And my mountain throne commands
Views of jewelled alpine tarns,
While patches of the brilliant snow
Reflect the sunlight's mystic glow.

Anxieties and troubles cease,
For here the world is all at peace.
Massive cliffs of sombre grey
Stretch towards the timeless day.
And beyond suburban reach
I see the golden native beech.
The photograph and artist's paint
Give but a feeble semblance faint
Of the beauty, vast and grand,
Inherent in our glorious land.
I climb the peaks for inspiration
Of God's incredible creation.

hey, i need help. i don't know when philip rush wrote 'bushwalking', if anyone knows can you please tell me? i really need the year he wrote it for my english assessment. *sigh* i have to collect FIVE texts and relate them to the film 'rabbit proof fence'. I need it by friday, if i don't find out by then, then i'll make it up to be around the time that Rush started writing Australian bush poetry...i hope my teacher doen't know his work well :S

hey i want to do andy's gone with cattle
can anyone please explain the meaing of this poem cuz i am really stuck and dont know anything by the way its due tomorrow and i really need info now thanks

Omg why does stupid physical journeys have to be related back to set text this is a cool poem the "bushwalking" one but u made it hard to relate back to some text...... p.s HSC sucks whats with this journey shuff ne ways

In that case, I take the liberty of copying Hugh's message, to lighten the mood of many desperate student. If I had to answer the same silly questions as you, I would hate poetry too!


The following is copied from the thread:
[www.emule.com]

Re: Physical Journey Poem
Posted by: Hugh Clary (192.168.128.5)
Date: October 27, 2021 03:57PM

I am not entirely clear what 'deconstructing' means, but I infer it encompasses the questions mentioned:

* why did you include this text in your process journal?
* how does it relate to physical journeys?
* how does it reflect the process of 'motivation/obstacles/learning experiences - transformation/growth>?
* what did you learn about physical journeys from this text?
* what techniques used by the composer have you considered using in your own written composition?

I have several problems with the poem given (i.e. bushwalking), for example,

1. Rhyming couplets in iambic tetrameter get old REALLY fast.
2. "Give but a feeble semblance faint" is purely rhyme-driven and is quite yucky.
3. Does commands rhyme with tarns?
4. "Not for the beads of perspiration,
But for the pure inspiration"

First of all, one is forced to read pyoo-uhr in order for this to scan, plus the rhyme is an Identical one (as opposed to Perfect).

<[www.poeticbyway.com]>

5. He uses inspiration again later in the poem, matched with creation this time.

Sounds to me as if this dude wants to be another Banjo Paterson, but fails in the attempt. Here is his web page, for those interested:

[www.philiprush.com.au]

The questions, as posed, are also annoying and remind me of similar nonsense (way) back when I was in high school. Obviously one cannot give them the answers they deserve, but speculation is fun.

>* why did you include this text in your process journal?

Because it was given to me in the assignment, you silly goose.

>* how does it relate to physical journeys?

Duh ... because it describes bushwalking, which is itself a physical journey?

>* how does it reflect the process of 'motivation/obstacles/learning
> experiences - transformation/growth?

Could you be so kind as to re-state the question in English, please?

>* what did you learn about physical journeys from this text?

Mountain climbing ain't for me.

>* what techniques used by the composer have you considered using in your own
written composition?

Those that point out I should study more poetry before attempting to write any.

hey

i am still having a lot of trouble answering the questions could anyone please help me analyse the texts. any help would be great.

the texts include:
*Bushwalking
--Phillip Rush

What inspires a man to climb
The mountains in the autumn-time?
Is it just because they're there?
Or for some idiotic dare?
Or just to prove one's fit enough
To complete a climb that's tough?
Each one of these, at times, is right;
But others climb for sheer delight.

Not for the joy of aching knees,
Or scrambling over fallen trees.
Not for the joy of carrying packs
That cause so many aching backs.
Not for the beads of perspiration,
But for the pure inspiration
Of living pictures unsurpassed
When one gains the peak, at last.

A city dweller cannot see
The view that lies in front of me,
As wearily I sit me down
On Acropolis' crown.
How can one describe the thrills,
As row on row of distant hills
Unfold before my very eyes
Beneath the blue autumnal skies?
And my mountain throne commands
Views of jewelled alpine tarns,
While patches of the brilliant snow
Reflect the sunlight's mystic glow.

Anxieties and troubles cease,
For here the world is all at peace.
Massive cliffs of sombre grey
Stretch towards the timeless day.
And beyond suburban reach
I see the golden native beech.
The photograph and artist's paint
Give but a feeble semblance faint
Of the beauty, vast and grand,
Inherent in our glorious land.
I climb the peaks for inspiration
Of God's incredible creation.

INTERVIEW WITH SAMAH

Each year, thousands of people migrate to Australia for various reasons, and each person’s experience is significant. An interview with a young Palestinian girl Samah, who migrated to Australia four months ago, assisted me with my study of ‘journeys’. A journey suggests a movement from one place to another and includes all the experiences that happened along the way. The young Palestinian girl’s physical journey to Australia includes experiences, which affect her both intellectually and emotionally.

Physical journeys occur over land or sea, and also tend to be accompanied by learning and understanding. Samah was born in a traditional Muslim family in Jordan, which is a small South Arabian country. She spent her childhood there and had started schooling before her family migrated to Australia, “I didn’t know much about other countries, but now I am beginning to learn about some of them. Australia’s society is more democratic than Jordan’s,” she says. This physical journey has given Samah an opportunity to learn about the world.

Physical journeys could also result in learning about new people. Samah has met many different people in Australia through her journey from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. “I cannot believe that there are so many cultural groups in the world. I find that their cultural values are different from mine, I couldn’t understand them at first, but now I think that these values are not wrong”. Samah’s interaction with other people has made her more tolerant of others. Her journey is about her belief, her understanding and acceptance.

Physical journeys often involve emotions, and many people can have a stronger connection with their homeland when they journey away from home. During the interview, Samah showed her sadness of leaving home: “It’s very sad to leave a place that you’ve lived in for more than 10 years…” She also shows her love and connection to her country: “I miss my homeland. Every week I find out about events that happen in my country, I’ve never been so connected with my homeland as I am now”.

Making choices is an important part of our life journey. The decision we make can effect our future. Migrating to Australia was a personal choice for Samah’s family. She gained a better education and future because of her life’s journey. Journeys are powerful; they challenge us, but also inspire us. “Language is a big obstacle in my journey, but every time I learn a new word, I am inspired because I know that I am developing” says Samah. The power of the journey has challenged her thinking and broadened her understanding of new places and people. Also, through her journey we have learnt about the importance of personal choices. Samah will continue her life journey with great passion – “I want to be a nurse and help people”.

Report written by an ESL student from Beverly Hills Girls High School after an interview with Sameh, a student at Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre.




could anyone help deconstruct or analyse these poems please.

thnks kasey

Rush's poem deals with the thrill of adventure. The excitement one gets from experiencing adventure changes how we view life.

The second account, Interview with Samah, tells of a very personal journey from a foreign land to a new home in Australia. The story here is one many Australians could tell, since most non-aboriginie families have gotten to Australia by moving from some other country.


Were there some specific questions about form, or context of the poem that you needed help with?


Les



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2022 12:24PM by lg.

hey

yes these are the questions that i need to answer:

* why did you include this text in your process journal?
* how does it relate to physical journeys?
* how does it reflect the process of 'motivation/obstacles/learning experiences - transformation/growth>?
* what did you learn about physical journeys from this text?
* what techniques used by the composer have you considered using in your own written composition?

thanks Kasey

Kasey, only you can answer the first question. And you are required to speak for yourself in answering questions 4 and 5, though you might get some ideas from this site.

For questions 2 and 3, as for questions 4 and 5, you are the one who ultimately will have to compose the answers.

We may be able to help with some ideas, and the posts above have already offered you some, but we won't write your answers for you. It will be easier to help you if you put forward what ideas you have got already. Don't worry if they are only half-formed at this stage.

Beginning with question 2, what's your problem with it? It's not a trick question. It seems to be straightforwardly asking about something fairly obvious. I suggest that you start your answer by stating what you take the expression 'physical journey' to mean. There's no universally accepted correct definition, but you might say that it means travelling or moving from one place to some other place with some destination or purpose in mind. Then go on to explain or describe in your own words the different kinds of physical journey (as you have defined it) that appear to you to be the main subjects of the poem and the interview report. You might finish by giving your personal opinion how well (or how poorly or incompletely, as the case may be) those journeys are described in those pieces. The interview report seems to be mainly about the journey that Samah took in migrating to Australia, but it also contains a lot of general observations about physical journeys, which might be of some help to you. For instance, you could say whether you agree or disagree with each of those general observations.

Question 3 asks you about four or five factors that your educational authority apparently believes are part of the process of making any physical journey, i.e. 'motivation/obstacles/learning experiences - transformation/growth'. (I happen to think that that is a dumb and inaccurate belief, but you would probably do best to play along with it for now!) Taking each of those factors in turn, I suggest you report in your answer how it appears to be covered (or not covered, as the case may be) in the poem and the interview report.

When you have finished answering questions 2 and 3, you will probably feel better able to start answering questions 4 and 5, and you can come back for more help if you get stuck.

I should however add that I have never been a school teacher, so can't be certain that the way I suggest you go about answering these questions is what your teacher wants. And I don't know what you mean by 'deconstruct' and 'analyse', so unless you explain what you mean, I can't help you with deconstruction and analysis.

not bad not bad...these poems are quite good... thanks for the poems

wow man... that interview wasn't bad .... not bad at all.. that interview could actually help ppl understand a interview... and how to write one... cause they was not bad.. but the stracture of the interview I would say otherwise... but hek not bad at all.... :p

sry for my improper language. intervew with Samah written by the ESL student is quite good.

Oh yea... I'm not sure how the first poem actually relates to physical journey. This question is just out of curiousity. Because from what I'v read, only the first line seems to link to physical journey and the rest is just talking about what the person saw, just short but descriptive, used quite a bit of hyperbole but to me, it just sounds like a pointless recount that doesn't link to "physical journey"

The idea of travel as adventure in the first poem is epitomized in these lines:

This cloud-roof country reminds me
of the character of people
who first encountered roses in soap.


What was the character of the people who first traveled through Australia? How does this poem relate to travelers, now?


Les

last question.... as you know... everyone has their English assessment for the resource folder and it ask for date... soo just wondering.. when was that poem composed? or what should I write for date?

ooo whoops... it wasn't Banjo Patterson it was Philip Rush

hmm haha... can I use this page for source?

im doing my hsc and i need a poem that i can relate to physical journeys and the peter skrzynecki poetry. any that you can suggest.
thanks heaps

hey guys im like the rest of use and im doing my HSC and its on "physical journeys" its a folio and for one of them i choose to do a poem. so i was wondering if use could give us some help and ideas on some of these questions. i choose Bushwalking by Phillip Rush. here are some of my questions:
1)What is the text about?
2)Describe the physical journey in the text
3)discuss the concept of the physical jorney in the text.
4)Whta language have been used to represent physical journey.
5)how does this text link with away?

any type of help would realy be appreciated thank you..

What inspires a man to climb
The mountains in the autumn-time?
Is it just because they're there?
Or for some idiotic dare?
Or just to prove one's fit enough
To complete a climb that's tough?
Each one of these, at times, is right;
But others climb for sheer delight.

Not for the joy of aching knees,
Or scrambling over fallen trees.
Not for the joy of carrying packs
That cause so many aching backs.
Not for the beads of perspiration,
But for the pure inspiration
Of living pictures unsurpassed
When one gains the peak, at last.

A city dweller cannot see
The view that lies in front of me,
As wearily I sit me down
On Acropolis' crown.
How can one describe the thrills,
As row on row of distant hills
Unfold before my very eyes
Beneath the blue autumnal skies?
And my mountain throne commands
Views of jewelled alpine tarns,
While patches of the brilliant snow
Reflect the sunlight's mystic glow.

Anxieties and troubles cease,
For here the world is all at peace.
Massive cliffs of sombre grey
Stretch towards the timeless day.
And beyond suburban reach
I see the golden native beech.
The photograph and artist's paint
Give but a feeble semblance faint
Of the beauty, vast and grand,
Inherent in our glorious land.
I climb the peaks for inspiration
Of God's incredible creation.