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Riverina bluebell...
Written by ainsel (68 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
...as it's called in some area, but not in the Riverina. Breathtakingly gorgeous en masse, though. I saw a single plant in someone's garden yesterday, looking as if it owned the place.
You have made a very striking word picture which strikes a chord of memory. I still have a vivid mental picture from years ago, my mother driving us out along a back road (to Wantiool, I believe) and approaching the crest of a hill; the paddocks on either side of the road, to the horizon and as far as could be seen, an unbroken expanse of glowing iridescence. Your "purple flood", in fact - as close a description as words can provide.
"this beautiful curse upon the patient earth" - what a wonderful line!
ainsel |
Similar experiences
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
I remember the shock of the colour very well. The fireweed gold set off the purple magnificently.
Must acknowledge the Byron references though !
Will see if I can find again the link to the photos of the fields.
Thanks for a pleasant review .
paterjack
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aka Salvation Jane
Written by Veronica_Milvus (768 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
| I liked the motorway ribbon to the future metaphor. Is it really poisonous then? How handy it would be to have an Old Testament prophet call down the wrath of God and it would all shrivel up. Oh well, failing that, paraquat. |
It is dangerous
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
... but more to cattle than to sheep apparently. It was called Salvation Jane in South Australia ( I believe ) because they fed sheep on it when there was nothing else in the drought years
But like so many beautiful things it can finally be poisonous .
They are importing bugs to try to kill it off. Pray they do better with them than with the cane toads and the multitude of other useless biological imports .
Pardon the cynicism 
patterjack |
Written by Brett (1001 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
Those three opening lines really hook the reader, Brian, at least this one.
A very descriptive/reflective piece and line 12 onwards came as quite a refreshing similie.
Agree with ainsel - that last line (in fact those last two lines for me) is (are) masterful. Much admired.
Cheers |
Your last line . . .
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
. . . is extraordinary!
I don't really underfstand the bulk of it, but your last line gives me goose-pimples.
Maybe it reminds me of the last line in 'Wuthering Heights'?
Something about 'sleepers in the quiet earth'?
Anyway, impressed!
Beers!
John X |
Written by Phil (6997 comments posted) 7th October 2008 |
The picture you build up to the climax of Across the paddock sweeps a purple flood is fantastic. Not a fan of overly descriptive pieces - but there's so much richness to this that it's a pleasure to read.
Phil |
Brett : beauty as a curse .
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
That has never been a strong element in my thinking ( though of course I have made past references to lovely ladies , to D'lilla , to Salome , to Jezebel.)
But danger in the beautiful has been a well worked theme among many real poets writing better than I .
I think it was that combination of colour that hooked me , and the memory , from about 1967, has remained with me vividly.
Thanks for the review .
patterjack |
Basically descriptive , Katanga
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
| As I said above to Brett , the colours of that field were magnificent , and even at that old moment I quoted to those with me on the highway the Byronic |
Done it again! ctd
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
... the Byronic
The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold ,
and his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold
Which led me to Isaiah and Hezekiah and their conflict with Sennacherib
There are pictures on the net of Oz paddocks smothered in the dangerous beauty
Tha nks for the review-- and I hope I have untangled Byron and the botany
patterjack |
very complimentary Phil
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
so thanks very much.
That flood image-- it honestly did look as if someone had poured a mix of purple paint with splashes of gold here and there , that was flowing from the upper part of a hilly paddock down towards the road.
Breathtakingly beautiful
patterjack |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3590 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
I was drawn by the contrast of the motorway and the sudden burst of beauty. It takes real talent to write lyrically about a motorway and give it a touch of romance. I like the idea of them taking you into the future [and in way they do]. I think that works on different levels. Somehow that image spoke to me, can't say why.
The mention of poisonous but beautiful weeds brought a real drama to the piece and a sense of menace.
I wasn't sure how the reference to Isaiah fitted in but that last couplet was a master-stroke, giving it a relevance in the poem and also a really arresting theme in that last line which takes the poem from a beautiful bit of description and takes us into the metaphysical, and gives the poem a whole new twist.
subtly brilliant
cheers
jane |
Back to the Old
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 8th October 2008 |
... Testament , Jane !
I got a bit entangled with a few of the Big Players there a while ago -- Samson, Ezekiel , and of course the ladies I mentioned above.
Lot of good material lying about there .
I am interested in your thoughts on the relationship with the motorway . More than I expected I must admit .
Thanks for your review-- appreciated !
patterjack |
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