I love finding old anthologies and collections of poetry, and discovering what they offer as well as seeing what  children of the past were offered.

I came across an anthology called This Land on ebay and just had to have it. When it came I was amazed to discover that it was the same age as me (wasn’t I cute?) and my beautiful gold teddy.

 

The anthology is filled with poems by poets whose works  I grew up with – CJ Dennis, Colin Thiele, Banjo Paterson, Dorothea Mackellar and more, as well as others I was less familiar with. There’s lots to like her, though in some ways the collection shows its age, with some colonial overtones that (thankfully) have not stood the test of time, and a massive imbalance in representation of  female poets.

Anway, back to the poems. I thought I’d share one to give you a taste, and chose one randomly by the letting the page fall open.

Joi the Glug

By CJ Dennis (1876-1938)

The Glugs abide in a far, far land

That is partly pebbles and stones and sand,

But mainly earth of a chocolate hue,

When it isn’t purple or slightly blue.

And the glugs live the with their aunts and wives.

In draught-proof tenements all their lives.

And they climb the trees when the weather is wet,

To see how high they can really get.

Pray, don’t forget,

This chiefly done when the weather is wet.

(Read the rest of the poem here – it’s longish, but worth it).

What I love about this poem is that it seems nonsense and lots of fun, but as you read further it emerges that it is also a comment about unquestioning conformity. CJ Dennis was one my favourite poets as a child – and I think I’ll share some more of his work in future posts, but in the meantime, if you haven’t read his work, look him up!

This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Laura Salas. Do drop by and see what other poetry goodies have been posted around the blogosphere.

Have a great Friday!