Opposite Sydney School of Arts
the wowser slakes his shameful lust
with the debauchees of gin and lime
enchanted by their sirens’ wail.
At length he slopes toward his bed
with dreams of Lilith in his head.Where are the words of yesteryear?
Whole wardrobes spill old attitudes
and drape them round the gallery wall
where Dobell’s Hell offends their sight.
Engrave an arcane linotype
or kiss a Brueghel where you may,
John Keats is laughing in his grave.Where are the words of yesteryear?
The meeting in the Adyar Hall
eschews the abject daily pot
the worker poet takes for Muse
in honest naked light of day.
Since flesh is grass and must be wet
let Francis Palgrave’s virgins fret.Where are the words of yesteryear?
Sober, in cafes he waits,
who paid the price of freedom’s call
and paid the price rounds for sots
who boast their mercantile prowess
and minds unfertilized while he
pursues his solitary artand finds the words of yesteryear.
A.D. Malley
A(rthur) D(ransfield) Malley was the schoolteacher cousin of Ern Malley, descended on the distaff side from the Huguenot Raimbaux of St Chemin-de-Fer and the Sieur of Courland-sous-Penders. His parents migrated to Australia, first settling at Pascoe Vale (Vic), then Campsie (NSW), where A.D. Malley taught Art, Music, French and Elocution.
This must be the editor of an important Australian literary magazine
Hi John, not that we know of.
Damn! I’d thought it was Peter Rose.
As far as I can tell, none of the contributors to this issue currently edit a literary magazine. Although I could be wrong.
Clive James.
Incorrect.
Les Murray.
As if!
Philip Salom?
I wonder if this is by the author of Nightmarkets and The Lovemakers – and of course, Kicking in Danger – Alan Wearne?
No, but Alan *is* responsible for Magicked Away …
So no Murray- the ‘close’ comment to Corey on the Blinky suite being *ironical*?
Possibly!
I’d hope so! It was facetious in the beginning.
Philip Salom-Alan Wearne collaboration.
Nope!
Justin Clemens?
so am i right or wrong? the suspense is killing me …
Sorry to keep you waiting Ali, and sorry to be the bearer of bad news – it ain’t Justin!