Australian Literature Blog #2

CREATIVE BLOG

The first two original stanzas are modelled after the opening to Banjo Paterson 'Brumby's Run' (1894). They are not intended as cohesive stanzas, merely two separate attempts at writing in the stylistic prose of Banjo Patterson. Here I have focused on the content, rhyme scheme and syllable use.

"The expanse mountains sprawl with speed,

Around the stock woman's home.

Where daughters lead waning stock to feed,

And the crawling creek offers no hope. "

"The gnarling limbs of the grey gum,

Offer little relief or shade.

From the blistering beat of the sun,

Until the cooling of night comes to aide."

These original lines are modelled after the opening lines of Banjo Paterson's (1890) Man from Snowy River, I have chosen to attempt to replicate rhyme scheme and syllable use, to create a cohesive flow to the words, though I believe my attempts have significantly fallen short.

"There was commotion in the wool shed, the shearers cease their work,

As the filly comes storming from the homestead,

Boots thumping in the dust, her hands buried in her skirt,

Crying in distress of six potty lambs mauled, dead."

In the end of writing these stanzas, I have come to realise that I am clearly not a natural poet, and that any work in this field is going to require extensive practice on my part. Though I found this blog enjoyful to write and the process of writing poetry an interesting challenge, I think I will leave the process of poetic prose to the skilled masters.

Banjo Paterson