Despite the fact that most of this collection is about Australia, it must not be seen or judged to be an effort to emulate the classical Australian bush bards and other poets. This is as I saw Australia through very South African eyes while also attempting to adopt the spirit and vernacular of the country when I arrived here in 1978. Suffice it to say that the two countries share some amazing and unexpected similarities. But then there are also some equally amazing differences. It&apos-s a case of the differences and similarities having equal shock and surprise value.“Where&apos-s the outback?!? You must be joking, Mate?”“The Black Stump is somewhere far and away –"“Fifty miles other side of Black Stump,“Deep in that God-forsaken outback…”“The building should have been condemnedAll of a good twenty-five years ago – ”“Hill and far distant mountainEcho back a forlorn call”“Over two hours have passedOf winding up hill, down dale,”“This is a sunburnt country -- we are told:Baking in the sun&apos-s malignant rays…”This is the down-under land I’ve adopted and lived in for over 30 years, a fascinating land on the other side of the world. Turn the pages and feel the myths of this down-under land.
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