By the Grey Gulf-water
Reading Analytics: This poem is a prime example of Paterson's skill in using nature imagery to explore themes of time, change, and nostalgia. The speaker's longing for the past is palpable, yet the poem also celebrates the beauty of the present moment. Readers may find themselves reflecting on their own experiences of change and loss, as well as the comfort found in familiar places and memories.
By Andrew Barton Paterson · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Anthology · 417 words
First lines
Far to the Northward there lies a land, A wonderful land that the winds blow over, And none may fathom nor understand The charm it holds for the restless rover; A great grey chaos -- a land half made, Where endless space is and no life stirreth; And the soul of a man will recoil afraid From the sphinx-like visage that Nature weareth. But old Dame Nature, though scornful, craves Her dole of death and her share of slaughter; Many indeed are the nameless graves Where her victims sleep by the Grey Gulf-water.
What this Textopian page supports
By the Grey Gulf-water is listed on Textopian as a poem by Andrew Barton Paterson, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Andrew Barton Paterson
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Anthology
- Length: 417 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for By the Grey Gulf-water by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Bushmans Song by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Shouting For A Camel by Andrew Barton Paterson
- A Singer Of The Bush by Andrew Barton Paterson
- The Road To Gundagai by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Song Of The Pen by Andrew Barton Paterson
- The Maoris Wool by Andrew Barton Paterson
Genres
- Poetry — Andrew Barton Paterson was a renowned poet, and this book is a compilation of his poems.
- Historical — The poems in this book reflect the historical context of Paterson's life and times in Australia.
- Anthology — This book is a collection of different poems, thus falling under the genre of anthology.
Tags
Australian literature · poetry · nature writing · travel writing · adventure · exploration · history · colonialism · environmentalism · beach · ocean · sea