Category Archives: Poetry

“The invisible things of him”

Well, it’s hard to believe, but this is apparently my 500th post here at The Consolations of Writing. It’s been quite an amazing couple of years since I set up this site, and I’m very grateful to have wonderful readers to share it with. Today’s poem comes out of a Bible study that I amContinue reading ““The invisible things of him””

Of the People (After Marianne Moore’s “In Distrust of Merits”)

Well, having written a silly poem about the democratic process this morning I am now writing a serious one, in response to one of Marianne Moore’s most magnificent poems, “In Distrust of Merits“. A critique of war-mongering, it is easily one of the finest poems of the 20th century. I’m a little wary of puttingContinue reading “Of the People (After Marianne Moore’s “In Distrust of Merits”)”

Doggerel for the Federal Election in the Seat of Melbourne

Adam Bandt Shook my hand Quite a hand Had Adam Bandt If I had Not have planned How to vote, then Adam Bandt Would have won me with his hand (What a hand Had Adam Bandt). Cath Bowtell’s Quite nice as well She smiled at all And offered help But she did not shake myContinue reading “Doggerel for the Federal Election in the Seat of Melbourne”

At the First Dawn of Brightness (After Marianne Moore’s “In the Days of Prismatic Colour”)

Marianne Moore is both an intriguing and a daunting poet to imitate. Her poems, visually and linguistically, dance in complexity and variety, and her subject matter is often both fascinating and impenetrable. Today’s poem is based on “In the Days of Prismatic Colour“, a wonderful meditation on Creation, complexity and simplicity. I offer it tentatively,Continue reading “At the First Dawn of Brightness (After Marianne Moore’s “In the Days of Prismatic Colour”)”

The Week of Cherry Blossoms

Today is something of an anniversary for me. Seven years ago, on this day, I wrote my first adult poem. I remember this because it was the last day of winter, and unusually warm. The poem was about a new crush after a long relationship had ended. I’m sure it would be highly embarrassing toContinue reading “The Week of Cherry Blossoms”

Sonnet for Gilles Deleuze

Being is constant creativity, Or so old Gilles Deleuze has made us think, But reading him my mind caves inwardly, My being draining outwards down the sink. These post-structuralists, they all like to speak And multiply their words like plural truths, But at day’s end, we all of us must eke A living out, forContinue reading “Sonnet for Gilles Deleuze”

Run Run Ever (After George MacDonald’s “No End of No-Story”)

The first thing I ever read by George MacDonald was his most dreamy children’s novel, At the Back of the North Wind, a book which compelled me as much as it mystified me. I remember vividly the moment that I encountered the poem, sometimes entitled “No End of No-Story”, which appears in the novel – aContinue reading “Run Run Ever (After George MacDonald’s “No End of No-Story”)”

Memento Mori

Tenth birthday, and the Titanic sinks On a screen, the largest in The southern hemisphere, Drifting down beneath the waves, Wreckage waiting, submarines Plumbing depths to find its jewels, Then sunlight after deep marine, The exit into daylight scenes And Dreamworld rides and cake, With me, crestfallen, eagerness Sublimated in this breeze, This vapour recognition.

Sowing (After George MacDonald’s “Better Things”)

Like many Victorian poets, George MacDonald often wrote poems which were far longer than they needed to be and far more flowery than readers today are comfortable with. But when he succeeded with a poem, he really succeeded, at his best when his form allowed for a simplicity and crispness of language and imagery thatContinue reading “Sowing (After George MacDonald’s “Better Things”)”