Poems: Torrens in Revelry, The Plum Tree
This week’s Poet’s Corner contributions come from Robert Dawson.
Torrens in Revelry
River Torrens, Adelaide,
After Luigi Bartolini, 1892–1963.
No longer footsore, no sciatica –
cured! restored! –
I walk this river path to revisit
greener days. Once past
the bandshell and the bridge,
it’s joyous, it’s a festival,
the trees, the stream, the magpies,
the poet on the banks,
the river flowing blue and gay,
the magpies warbling on the bridge
and on the shore the song
I sing along! So splendid!
The trees, the stream, the magpies,
the poet on the banks of joy!
Together again, these trees,
these birds, this stream, this poet
on the banks of this river! Tomorrow
who knows: no one maybe,
other water, other birds, other trees,
other poets on the banks.
The Plum Tree
After Bertholt Brecht, 1898–1956.
In the garden stands a tree.
It’s so small it’s hard to see.
It’s got a fence around
to keep folk off its ground.
That little tree can hardly grow;
you bet it wants to, though!
It can’t be fun…
It gets too little sun.
No one’s sure what sort of tree.
It doesn’t have a fruit to see.
But it aspires to be a plum…
You’ll know it by its bloom.
Robert Dawson took American History and Literature at Harvard University, where he studied under Robert Lowell, one of America’s most important 20th century poets. He edited the university’s literary magazine, published his first poetry, including his collection “Six Mile Corner”. He lived and worked variously in the US and worldwide, until settling in Adelaide where he reads his poetry at various venues. At Friendly Street’s Poetry Laboratory at the Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre at 7:30 p.m. on 8 July, he will be giving a presentation on Robert Lowell. More about Robert and his work can be found with his previous Poet’s Corner appearance on 6 June.
Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.