Meanjin First Edition

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• Publisher: Meanjin Digital
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9780522868760
• eBook ISBN: 9780522868777
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

Meanjin was founded in Brisbane by Clem Christesen (the name is derived from an Aboriginal word for the finger of land on which central Brisbane sits) in 1940. Its first edition contained poetry but over time Christesen ensured that Meanjin reflected the breadth of contemporary thinking, be it on literature, other art forms, or the broader issues of the times. 2015 is the 75th anniversary of the magazine.

AUSTRALIA TO A WAR

If you would smash my volley at the net —

Strings to the court! Come on!

If it were cricket, Is my renown inglorious where the tall

Grey wall, the steeple shadow stooping cool

An August English pitch, oh leafy fall

To that shouting green?

My lads, in such a pool

Swimming, dared the Risen Sun’s sea-skill!

I’ll man the skiff shall leap Niagara,

Or . . . . . .

No? Your graver plan (as once Athena

Counselled heroes) would win victories

Of opponent Nature, quelling phantoms

(The lips’ drouth, or the soul’s) to rear Man’s kingdoms?

This way then, War! To my sons, in a cloud that sickens

One gone down to the tepid pool for water,

Who turns to watch their withered branches slaughter

The flames there on the hill—and the curtain thickens—

War, the thing can leap—

And tree and glorious tree like strong Laocoon

Wrapt in serpents, dies! Contend! Come on!

For this is dangerous! You are not jealous,

War, of the death my peaceful battles reap?

Still no? Still no? The fool is serious—

Or else, perhaps, grown tired of his sin,

Much worthier contention seeks now in

Glorious Knowledge? We shall open Mind,

And map the sea, and ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• Foreword . . .
• The Apple Tree
• For These are Gracious Things
• The Heron
• Australia to a War
• Morning Bound
• Pray Pity for Bill Smith
• Variation on a Theme of John Keats: (For Brian Vrepont)
• By Lantern Light