Independent Australia

Poetry and verse

ANZAC poem

Tweet A poem by an ANZAC comrade, WR Whiteside, written at Whakatane in New Zealand, 3 April 1947. Of memories … forever dear Trysting place of loving hearts Of yesterdays … drawn near; Of long remembered faces Dimly thro the Veil...

25 April, 2013 1:59 am / 8 comments

The Raven

Tweet A different sort of Easter message, though one no less poignant, from IA satirist – and passionate humanist – Gee. MY FATHER, a practising Christian, died a few years ago aged 94. Amongst other things, he left behind a copy of The...

30 March, 2013 8:56 pm / 9 comments

Ad free radio

Tweet As anxious 2GB staff contact their agents, Alan Jones spends the quiet ad break moments composing a poem in appreciation of Julian Assange. (By Gee.) read more »

8 October, 2012 9:18 pm / 1 comment

The Vernacular Republic

TweetIt’s been just on 35 years since Les Murray’s ‘The Vernacular Republic’ selection of poems was published. This was one of the landmarks in Australian literature. Les Murray is the outstanding poet of his generation and one...

12 March, 2012 1:12 am / 1 comment

The problem with life

TweetHere’s the problem with life… You work really hard your whole life so you can lay back and really relax — but by the time you get to retire you can’t sleep past 4.30am. By then, you have enough time and money to go out and dance...

7 January, 2012 12:21 am / 3 comments

The repellant Australian poetry scene

Tweet Independent Australia managing editor David Donovan has been repelled by the self-obsessed, self-referencing, Australian poetry scene — and here’s why. by David Donovan Despite my best intentions, I have been completely alienated...

30 December, 2011 4:46 pm / 5 comments

The Fox from Bennelong

TweetTHE FOX FROM BENELONG Let’s never forget the 6th of November, Our blackest day on file; John Howard the FOX we’ll always remember He tricked us all by a mile. The People’s Convention held earlier this year Was a well thought...

18 September, 2011 8:39 am / no comments

On Father’s Day – for the fathers who have gone away

TweetOn Father’s Day 2011, a tribute by managing editor David Donovan to his dear departed father, dedicated to everyone else who can’t be with their Dads this year. The Son’s Lament Why can’t you bring him Back to us? My...

4 September, 2011 12:01 am / 1 comment