Rio Grande's Last Race, and Other Verses

This volume gathers a lively assortment of verses that first appeared in newspapers across continents, capturing the pulse of turn‑of‑the‑century Australia. The poet moves effortlessly from the dusty tracks of the outback to the cramped bunkers of foreign wars, using plain speech and vivid metaphor to make each scene feel immediate. Readers will hear the dry humor of a bushman’s bicycle adventure alongside solemn reflections on drought and battle.

In the opening poem, a daring rider confronts the legendary Rio Grande, urged by ghostly champions to trust his horse and let go of control, setting a tone of mythic bravery tinged with wistful melancholy. Other pieces such as the cheeky “Mulga Bill’s Bicycle” and the gritty “Song of the Artesian Water” showcase a knack for turning ordinary events into memorable tableaux. Altogether, the collection offers a spirited portrait of a land and its people, inviting listeners to ride alongside characters who are as rough‑hewn as the horizons they roam.