'To An Old Mate' by Henry Lawson


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Old Mate!In the gusty old weather,
When our hopes and our troubles were new,
In the years spent in wearing out leather,
I found you unselfish and true --
I have gathered these verses together
For the sake of our friendship and you.

You may think for awhile, and with reason,
Though still with a kindly regret,
That I've left it full late in the season
To prove I remember you yet;
But you'll never judge me by their treason
Who profit by friends -- and forget.

I remember, Old Man, I remember --
The tracks that we followed are clear --
The jovial last nights of December,
The solemn first days of the year,
Long tramps through the clearings and timber,
Short partings on platform and pier.

I can still feel the spirit that bore us,
And often the old stars will shine --
I remember the last spree in chorus
For the sake of that other Lang Syne,
When the tracks lay divided before us,
Your path through the future and mine.

Through the frost-wind that cut like whip-lashes,
Through the ever-blind haze of the drought --
And in fancy at times by the flashes
Of light in the darkness of doubt --
I have followed the tent poles and ashes
Of camps that we moved further out.

You will find in these pages a trace of
That side of our past which was bright,
And recognise sometimes the face of
A friend who has dropped out of sight --
I send them along in the place of
The letters I promised to write.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To An Old Mate by Henry Lawson: An Exploration of Friendship and Loss

Oh, To An Old Mate by Henry Lawson! What an incredible piece of poetry filled with raw emotions, vivid imagery and deep reflection on the theme of friendship and loss. As a literary critic, I cannot help but be in awe of this masterpiece and the way it captures the essence of human relationships.

Overview

At its core, To An Old Mate is a tribute to an old friend who has passed away. Through vivid and poignant imagery, Lawson paints a picture of the Australian outback and the harsh realities of life in the bush. He reflects on the shared experiences, the camaraderie, and the deep bond that existed between him and his friend.

What I find most striking about this poem is the way Lawson uses language to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The poem is filled with vivid sensory details that transport the reader back in time and make them feel as if they are right there, experiencing everything alongside the narrator.

Analysis

One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is the way Lawson uses imagery to convey his message. For example, in the opening lines, he describes his friend as "a mate of mine who used to 'share' / The days and nights when we were there." Here, the use of the word "share" creates a sense of unity and camaraderie, as if the two men were working together as equals.

Throughout the poem, Lawson uses natural imagery to describe the Australian outback and the challenges that come with living in such a harsh environment. He talks about the "droughts and floods and fires" that the two men have weathered together, and the "stony ridges, and the sandy scrubs" that they have traversed.

What I find particularly interesting about this use of imagery is the way it reflects the idea of friendship as a kind of refuge from the harshness of life. Through their friendship, the two men were able to find comfort and support in each other, even when the world around them was unforgiving and cruel.

Another interesting aspect of this poem is the way Lawson uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and unity. For example, he repeats the phrase "you're dead, old man" several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different inflection. This repetition creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the narrator is coming to terms with the fact that his friend is truly gone.

At the same time, however, the repetition also serves to reinforce the idea of the narrator's deep connection to his friend. By repeating the phrase, he is able to create a kind of ritual mourning that reflects the intensity of his grief and the depth of his love for his old mate.

Interpretation

To An Old Mate is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief. Through his vivid imagery and raw emotion, Lawson is able to capture the essence of the human condition and the way we rely on our friends and loved ones to get us through the tough times.

At its core, this poem is a celebration of friendship and the power of human connection. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we are never truly alone as long as we have our friends by our side.

As a literary critic, I cannot help but be moved by To An Old Mate and the way it captures the complex emotions and experiences that make us human. It is a testament to the power of poetry to connect us to each other and to the world around us, and a reminder of the enduring legacy of great writers like Henry Lawson.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To An Old Mate: A Timeless Tribute to Friendship

Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote Poetry To An Old Mate as a tribute to his friend, Jim Grahame. The poem is a heartfelt expression of the bond between two mates who have been through thick and thin together. It is a timeless tribute to the power of friendship and the enduring spirit of mateship that is so deeply ingrained in Australian culture.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his old mate, who he has not seen for many years. The speaker expresses his joy at seeing his friend again and reminisces about the good times they shared in the past. He talks about the hardships they faced together and how they always managed to pull through because of their strong bond.

The poem is written in a colloquial style, with the use of Australian slang and idioms. This gives the poem a sense of authenticity and makes it relatable to Australian readers. The use of language also reflects the close relationship between the two mates, who would have spoken in a similar manner.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the essence of mateship. Mateship is a term that is unique to Australian culture and refers to the bond between two friends who have each other's backs no matter what. It is a bond that is forged through shared experiences and a deep sense of loyalty.

In Poetry To An Old Mate, we see this bond in action. The speaker talks about how he and his mate faced the harsh realities of life together, from droughts and floods to financial struggles. Despite these challenges, they always had each other's backs and were able to find strength in their friendship.

The poem also touches on the theme of nostalgia. The speaker looks back on the past with fondness and talks about how much he misses the old days. This is a common theme in Australian literature, as many writers have explored the idea of the Australian bush as a place of nostalgia and longing.

The poem is also notable for its use of imagery. Lawson paints a vivid picture of the Australian bush, with its wide open spaces and rugged terrain. He describes the harshness of the environment, with its scorching sun and dusty plains. This imagery serves to highlight the resilience of the two mates, who were able to survive and thrive in such a challenging environment.

The poem also contains a sense of melancholy. The speaker talks about how time has passed and how things have changed. He acknowledges that he and his mate are no longer young and that they have both been through a lot in their lives. This sense of melancholy is tempered by the enduring nature of their friendship, which has stood the test of time.

Overall, Poetry To An Old Mate is a timeless tribute to the power of friendship and the enduring spirit of mateship. It captures the essence of Australian culture and the unique bond that exists between two mates. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship to overcome even the toughest of challenges.

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