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Thylazine: The Australian Journal of Arts, Ethics & Literature                                                                                                                                 #11/thyla11k-ej AUSTRALIAN POETS SERIES 11 The Poetry of Erica Jolly Selected by Coral Hull [Above] Photo of Erica Jolly by Ben Harkin, 2002. I Release from the past I Equal opportunity I Thinking of Kylie Tennant I News break I Pick a number I Lord Chesterfield to John Howard I Release from the past Waves break and splash on that suburban shore. At last, in shorts, she's free to take the shallows in her stride without the need to hide that childhood gash from eye and wind and sun. That scar appears - in memory Tarzan flies in black and white on film, on tropic vines to tree-top boughs and in the avenue at that forbidden neighbourıs bungalow. This time it's rope ­ the landing stage a tank, ragged, jagged, galvanized and curved chopped in half to dry the mallee roots for wartime winter's flickering open fires. The scar appears ­ this young Tarzan cries ­ the colour now is red. She sees once more those sago-like flesh balls, small and round, blood-coated on that gashed and girlish thigh, gripped and held for hours before that doctor deigns to act to thread the needle, take up that thick, black line and push it through the gaping tear of this civilian wound. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). Equal Opportunity Those spear-shaped leaves so eager to be touched release that pungent scent to fill the void so heady, that strong perfume strikes the brain seducing sense. They need this sharp attraction to bring to tiny flowers extended on their stalks those searching bees. There is an urgency ­ they spread to bring their green and fragrant face to meet the sun ­ no matter what the cost for quiet plants that slowly make their way and bring to life a subtler bouquet. Exploding mint-fresh odour stuns the mind with so fast a thrill, we feel to hold again that moment's joy. For that is all it is ­ and for that pleasure we may let it grow smother and invade, denying other fragrances a chance in its swift encompassing advance. But in the garden I can match that speed and cut it back refuse to be seduced and in its place let gentler perfumes give the mind their grace. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). Thinking of Kylie Tennant Acknowledging John Keat's 'Ode to a Nightingale' She died crying mercy wanting to die with dignity and 'cease upon the midnight with no pain'. That right was denied ­ she died when the heart said No more not the mind. She had such compassion for the poor the lost, the eccentric chivvied by law. Not for her the path of Pharisees smugly on the other side safe from the smell of gap-toothed poverty. She gave me such a feeling for this land for the lives of all who made their way from town to heartless town. I took this treasure to another eager to share my pleasure in this new-found wealth. He read paused, thought and then pronounced Too much hyperbole. That is what he said to me ­ I had to look it up and shrugged ­ he could have his jargon I still have The Battlers. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). News Break A State politician on Radio National Here at the kitchen sink with my hands in suds trying to get warm the words seep in. We'll be told if we deserve to know. I listen to that servant of the people say we have no right or need to know ­ we'll be told if we, who pay his wage, deserve to know. I wipe the stains from the coffee mug and pause. He's selling our services. Americans will profit from information once kept by our public servants. And we'll be told if we deserve to know. Scum rises to the top. I pull the plug and through the window watch winter strip the glory vine of its last leaf. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). Pick a number Senator Herron's estimation of The stolen generations: Only ten per cent were taken and to say it was a generation is a misnomer. Pick a number­ ten per cent will do ­ not for legal fees, plumbing, prunes, GST or shoes. Pick a number ­ ten per cent will do ­ not to add this time, to take away, subtract justify my view. Pick a number ­ ten per cent will do ­ statistically small, with benign intent, only took a few. And what's more we've found a way to deny any of that alleged ten per cent the right to sue. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). Lord Chesterfield to John Howard My dear friend,          I cannot call you Boy, you are not my son, yet we two enjoy a kinship across the centuries. We share much more than ponderous, solid chairs, we share philosophies. Like Burke and I you agree that men may rise quite high above the salt, through money if not birth and shares, not menial work, the signs of worth. You know, as I so often told my son, the key to political success is marketable morality, not high ideals or altitude of thought with such elevation power's not bought. Worldly wise, of mechanistic mind, you rightly leave Wesleyıs dreams behind but not his method and his righteous tone ­ what matter if the loaf of bread's a stone. Homely plainness, seeming to be just, that's the approach to gain their trust and when strident voices claim you're mean let your pitying, regret-filled heart be seen. Hold fast, dear friend, to the past we share, keep the future at bay in my green leather chair. Published in Pomegranates (Lythrum Press, 2003). About the Poet Erica Jolly Erica Jolly was born in Adelaide (South Australia) in 1933. After many years involved in her art, an illustrated first collection of poetry entitled Pomegranates was produced by Lythrum Press in 2003. Erica Jolly is an outspoken and well-known critic of social injustice and her humanism has been evident in the South Australian Education Department, especially in relation to gender equality, and beyond. Erica Jollyıs publications began in 1977 with the joint not-for-profit publication with Frances Wells of an anthology for students: Help Yourselves: An Anthology of Contemporary Writing on Food which included contributions from well-known Australians, politicians, an historian, novelists and poets, and the work of the Indigenous poet and playwright Jack Davis.    [Above] Photo of Erica Jolly by Ben Harkin, 2002. I Next I Back I Exit I Thylazine No.11 (June, 2006)