“Angel’s Glance” (2002) Another Two Poems
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Thank you for enjoying the previous poems and for your kind words which lifted my spirits. With this in mind I am happy to share with you another two poems, “A Simple Metaphor” and “Of Flowers and Candles” also published in Southerly, in this instance by Noel Rowe.[1] Noel left us far too early having passed away at the age of 56 (1951-2007). He was held in such high esteem by his peers and colleagues that amongst other things in 2015 Vagabond Press set up the “Noel Rowe Poetry Award”. He was co-editor of Southerly with David Brooks from 1999 to 2007.[2] Les Murray respected Noel deeply and even though Rowe had left his priestly orders years earlier, in our correspondence Les would still refer to him as Fr. Noel. It meant a lot to me that Noel would write and ask that I contribute to “Angel’s Glance” (62/3, 2002). Needless to say, I was humbled and delighted in equal measure. The great Australian poets I have found, and I am surely blessed to be able to call a small number of these dear friends, have a giant and compassionate heart. Not every poet is gifted with this charisma. So we should treasure those which have come to a deeper understanding of their time-honoured craft, poiesis [“to make”]. The great ones bring to us vital posts as did the ancient messengers along the Royal Road. From the foreword to this special volume:
“I had intended to call this issue “Holy Smoke” as a way of gesturing towards issues of humour and negativity. That was before I read Angela Rockel’s “Meeting the Angel” (thanks to Elizabeth McMahon for helping obtain the piece). Now I am going to call it “Angel’s Glance” and hope it catches you.” (Noel Rowe, 2002)