A small selection of poems, that gives a hint of the wide variety of subject matter covered in
the poetry of Dorothea Mackellar. Although well remembered for her exceptional insight into the
"Beauty and Terror" of the Australian landscape, Dorothea also understood the landscape of
the mind. The frustrated hopes of life and love.
| Colour |
Written in 1909, this poem was one of Dorothea's
personal favourites. It was first published in the volume of verse "The Closed Door",
in 1911. The poem was read at her funeral service at St. Mark's Church, Darling Point,
in Sydney. |
| Dawn |
Dorothea was inspired to write this poem while visiting
the family property, "Kurrumbede", near Gunnedah in New South Wales. It was published in
1911, in the volume of verse "The Closed Door". |
| The Dreamer |
A poem that looks at the human need to have hope, and to
dream a wonderful life. Published in 1911. |
| My Country |
One of the poems better known by Australians. Written by
Dorothea at the age of twenty-two years while she was living in England, and missing her
home country, Australia. |
| An Old Song |
This poem was first published in the well regarded
American magazine "Harper's". Dorothea was a very young writer at the time
when these small verses, known as 'fillers', were printed by journals and
publications. It appeared again in her second book of , "The Witchmaid", that was
published in 1914, in London. Her family was really surprised at this achievement. |
| The Waiting Life |
Published in Dorothea's final book of verse, "Fancy
Dress", in 1926. The poem looks at responsibilities, and, as with Dorothea,
responsibilities came first, before enjoyment was even thought about.
|
Source: 1971, The Poems of Dorothea Mackellar. Australia: Rigby Ltd.
|
