1. Early Works 1983 - 1986  
  2. Workshop Poems 1986 - 1987  
  3. Overseas Poems 1987 - 1990 
  4. Poems 1990 - 1994 
  5. Letters  1994 - 1995 
  6. Poems  1995 
  7. Karitane Poems 1995 - 1996 

 

(c)   Nick Kent Guyan  1996 
 

CONTENTS 

1 Early Works 1983 - 1986    2 Workshop Poems 1986 - 1987  
  • Rex 
  • Inside out 
  • Times Two 
  • Defined as Mainly Grey 
3 Overseas Poems 1987 - 1990 
  • Eire 87 
  • Journey 
4 Poems 1990 - 1994  
  • Porridge 
  • No 
  • Brother Sister 
  • Willing You 
  • The Wreck 
  • Ugly 
  • Animals 
  • Mermaids 
  • Psychologist 
  • The Hut 
5 Letters  1994 - 1995  
  • Brendon and Susie 
  • Letter to Dougal 
6 Poems  1995  
  • The Kingdom of Jock 
  • Four 
  • One Eyebrow 
  • Connections 
  • Dog 
  • Occasional Collisions 
  • Take 3 Boards, 2 Posts, 1 River and a Chain-saw Juggler 
  • The Race 
  • William (Bill) Sheath 
7 Karitane Poems 1995 - 1996  
  • Tour 
  • Water and Sickness 
  • Sam 
  • Mexican Laughing Dog 
  • Easy Enemies 
  • Fog 
  • Asbestos Pipe Dream: Scream 
 
 

ODE TO ARTHUR (BLUE GUM) SCOTT

  1
Arthur, you're in a constant prime
Classic for all time.
I got to hum it to you
man never blue
now grey.
Hum it soft as the sun.
Hard to think of him
carrying a gun.

2
But easy to see you
on parade, no boots
but a warm, full pot
like the other men
you fed well
as army cook.

3
Following the sun
from bench to bench
 around town
 in your twilight years
 carrying all your possessions
 in white plastic bags.
Later it's the snake pit
or Golden Dragon
for a feed and a rice pudding -
and another rice pudding.

4
You did your time
at an old people's home -
Victoria, and Victorian standards.
You tried to share your warmth
not like Scott of Antarctica
turning Oates away,
you tried to sow yours
much better than frost bite
What can be the harm?

5
Yes, they kicked you out
for this
and for trying your hand
at plumbing.
Yes, you broke the broom
and the toilet
but surely mighty McSkimmings
could pay
for a man who fought for our freedom,
but no,
it's sucked out of his pension
bit by bit.

6
Arthur, I'll remember you
living happily on the edge,
warmly clad in worn out jersey
and loosely fitting
skin tight suit
 in the largest of sizes
but not gross.
Come and have a drink.
I've won the quinella
$98
Vodka and draft in my bag
and of course I do.
Cheers.