My city turns 150! 

I am very proud to be part of the 150 celebrations for the city of Ipswich. My role in this, is part of my role as an Ipswich Poetry Feast Committee member. Our aim is to promote poetry in all its forms and encourage the development literacy skills in our young people through sponsoring poetry workshops in schools, which will be happening in May.

 

Our annual writing competition is now open and I would encourage all poets and children who aspire to be poets to enter our annual poetry writing competition. Details and entry forms are available online from Ipswich Poetry Feast's Website ipswichpoetryfeast@ipswich.qld.gov.au and fees can be paid through paypal. As part of our programe this year, to celebrate our 150 we launched i150 Jack Thompson's Limited Edition CD recording of 'Camp Fire Yarns by Henry Lawson'  which he exclusively recorded for the Ipswich Poetry Feast 2010, for more details see the website. You can stay up to date with the Ipswich Poetry Feast event by following our blog ipswichpoetryfeast@blogspot.com 

The Babies Of Walloon

He was lengthman on the railway, and his station scarce reserved

That pre-eminence in sorrow" of the Majesty he served,

But as dear to him and precious were the gifts reclaimed so soon. -

Were the workman's little daughters who were buried near Walloon.

Speak their names in tones that linger, just as tho' you held them dear,

There are eyes to which the mention of those names will bring a tear.

Little Kate and Bridget, straying in an Autumn afternoon,

Were attracted by the lilies in the water of Walloon.

All is dark to us. The angels sing perhaps in Paradise

Of the younger sister's danger, and the elder's sacrifice;

But the facts were hidden from us, when the soft light from the moon

Glistened on the water-lilies o'er the Babies at Walloon.

Ah! the children love the lilies, while we elders are inclined

To the flowers that have poison for the body and the mind

Better for the "strongly human" to have done with life as soon,

Better perish for a lily like the Babies of Walloon.

For they gather flowers early on the river far away,

Where the everlasting lilies keep their purity for aye,

And while summer brings our lilies to the run and the lagoon

May our children keep the legend of the Babies of Walloon

By Henry Lawson (1891)