Reflecting on Henry by Narelle Stoll follows a walk along George Street, Sydney, as the poet imagines what Henry Lawson might make of the faces and struggles she encounters.
From Town Hall steps and street musicians to homelessness and rain-soaked streets, the poem sets present-day Sydney beside the weary souls who inspired Lawson’s Faces in the Street.
Reflecting on Henry
By Narelle Stoll
I took a turn and meandered down,
Old George Street, Sydney one day.
Twixt Bathurst and Market Street,
my thoughts began to sway.
If Henry was walking beside me,
I pondered what he might say.
About the faces that confronted us,
during the walk that day.
Of the Ukrainians in their yellow and blue,
on the steps at the Town Hall.
Pleading with the government, to release a “Hawkei”.
So, the war could end for all.
Of the statue of Queen Victoria,
a remnant from imperial days.
That would have provoked from Henry,
an internal inner rage.
Of the charity workers hawking their cause,
for the RSPCA.
To the Christians boldly holding up a sign,
of “Jesus is the Way.”
To the homeless woman standing silently within,
the shadow of the CBA.
Holding out her tin, to those passing by.
In the hope of a better day.
To the seller of the “Big Issue”.
Selling the news of the day.
That included an article, about helping the homeless.
By applying the “Functional Zero” way.
Which involved the cooperation of agencies,
to ensure they were housed and fed.
I wondered what Henry, would have thought of this.
When he was in need of a bed?
To Shyan Tonga musician,
busking at the corner of Market Street.
His sweet harmonies seemed to calm,
of those standing before his feet.
As he softly sang the Al Green tune of,
“ Let us all stay together.
Whether times are good or bad,
happy or sad.”
In the evening as I was returning home.
I was drenched from the torrential rain.
That appeared in my eyes, was doing its best,
to wash away the pain.
Of rising interest rates, costs of living and a never-ending war.
I again turned my thoughts to Henry and wondered what he saw.
In the weary souls at Petersham, in Trafalgar and Terminus Street.
That became his muses, for the Faces in the Street.
Keeping The Verse Alive
Reflecting on Henry is shared with permission from Narelle Stoll through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Narelle Stoll
Bush Poet • ABPA Member • CWA NSW Virtual Member
Narelle Stoll is an Australian bush poet raised on a farm at Culcairn in southern New South Wales. An ABPA member and CWA NSW virtual member, her interest in poetry grew through the Illawarra Folk Festival and competitions at Corryong. She is now returning to writing and sharing her work.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
