PDA

View Full Version : Comments for Dunc McReil


Debisa
08-25-2003, 12:03 PM
Hi Dunc,

I read your Aborigine poem in Merciless through the "Today's Active Posts" feature and it caught my attention as a fellow Aussie. I made a few comments not realising I had landed in the Merciless forum and it was suggested that I was out of my league. If I had of realised where I was I certainly would not have pushed that post button.

Anyway it was also suggested that I email or PM you with my comments but I notice that option is not available through your profile so with that in mind I wanted to pass my thoughts on. Not sure that I can remember them word for word but here goes...

ABORIGINES

It shimmers at this time,
sergeant,
when the air boils.
The high sun
pins the dots of shade.

Mr Douglas will point out the tank
where bottles may be filled,
and the horse troughs.

I need scarcely say,
sergeant,
special care must be taken
that no cattle are hit.


I loved the phrase "the dots of shade" and now second time around I also enjoyed the image of the air boiling :-) I was taken back with the reference to horse troughs. Only because horses are not usually known in the outback as a mode of transport and felt that perhaps you could reference washing the dust off or something along those lines.

The whole piece reminded me of the culling of Kangaroos and the matter of fact way the plans are made.

Nice work!





Regards

Deb

Dunc
08-25-2003, 01:51 PM
Debisa -

I appreciate your thoughts. (I think you'll find plenty of horses in the Outback in the C19, which is where I set this, mentally at least.)

Thanks / Dunc

Debisa
08-29-2003, 06:32 AM
Hi Dunc,

Ahhhh!! well that showed my mind was back with the settlers, the cattle were pretty far and few between at that time too so I am not sure what I was thinking... Sorry! Although that red dust sure gets into everything no matter what the era and could give the piece broader time specifics and something a little more known only in the outback... Perhaps I should have expanded my thoughts with more detailed imagery which is something I hear all too often. :-)

I do appreciate you acknowledging my comments. Thank you!

Regards

Deb

Also visit EveryAuthor.com, our new site for prose, featuring online books and writer's forums including fiction writer's forums and non-fiction forums