The rows of cells are unroofed,
a flute for the wind's mouth,
who comes with a breath of ice
from the blue caves of the south.
O dark and fierce day:
the wind like an angry bee
hunts for the black honey
in the pits of the hollow sea.
Waves of shadow wash
the empty shell bone-bare,
and like a bone it sings
a bitter song of air.
Who built and laboured here?
The wind and the sea say
-Their cold nest is broken
and they are blown away-
They did not breed nor love,
each in his cell alone
cried as the wind now cries
through this flute of stone.
Notes
The old prison referred to is the ruin at Trial Bay, near the now seaside resort of South West Rocks, Kempsey, New South Wales.
In 1816 the brig 'Trial' was seized by some of the convicts aboard. In January 1817 it's wreck was located in a wide, deep bay near the mouth of the Macleay River. The bay was then named after the wrecked ship. It became a place of shelter for coastal shipping and prison labour was brought in to enlarge the area with a breakwater. Work began on the construction of a prison, the first wing completed in 1879 but the first prisoners did not move in until 1886. The prison was closed in 1903 but re-opened during the 1914-1918 war. Over 500 German prisoners of war were held there but the building was once again closed after WW1. Many years later due to the ravages of war and vandals the ruin is but a shell of it's former self but the atmosphere within the remaining walls is tangible.
~Von~
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Comments
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The Old Prison
From guest Emma (contact)
One of the main messages in the poem is that often, nature will take its course and reclaim its land, ruining once significant man made structures -
You have done a fine job with the notes, Von.
Ron Wiseman.
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From guest Virgo (contact)
i really like this poem, it is interesing and historical.Judith Wright is a fantastic poet and will be remembered for many mire years to come! -
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Waves of shadow wash?
From guest Ellie (contact)
What does this mean? does it mean the shadow of the Old Prison? By the way I love the poem! -
Black honey?
From guest Jess (contact)
What is the black honey? is it the blood of the prisoners or do they mine oil as their labour? -
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To Guests Jess and Tayla.
I believe the semi derelict prison cells are being likened to the cells of a honeycomb in a hive. The Black-Honey is the produce of the worker bees (prisoners). I see no reference to Oil which is usually termed Black-Gold. -
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ILR, although I agree with your reading of the poem, there is just one thing to note. There were actually plans to set up an oil terminal in the area of Trial Bay.
That said, I do still think that your reading of the black honey as the work of the prisoners - if not the prisoners themselves - is a more accurate synopsis.
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if you read the notes/context it fills in all the missing spots. Great imagery and flows along well with a ABCB rythm.
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Black Honey?
From guest Anne (contact)
Hmm you know, I just can't work out what the "dark honey" is? A troll of the net has turned up nothing. Any ideas? -
this is a very lovely and well written piece that flows so well with nice inagary and just wonderful good job
love and light
blaze -
This is very nice. I dont' understand what an Old poem is exactly. But this poem drew me in and I liked it. Great job!
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Many thanks for whoever featured this, it was refreshing in it's own way. Serious poetry with deep imagery, far from stating the obvious.
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Great poem .A poem that lingers in the mind .A poem of days gone by. The poem makes one think.....The Historical fact is fantastic...Words blending together for a purpose...Well done nice write ....Buchan
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This was very expressive. I love the way Judith spoke through the mix of her metaphors. It was simply a well written poem, and it easily brought me into the black and white mood and exposed a piece of the prison life.
-AliciA -
This was a superb poem and the notes were most informative, you can almost hear the clang of the doors at lockup in the "Flutes of stone ", many thanks for sharing this poem
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How many of us have looked at the remains of an old building and wondered or imagined the daily life of the people therein.
This is what Judith Wright does in this beautifully descriptive poem.
Read the notes, it will help to build the story.
~Von~ -
I always thought this poem was about Port Arthur in Tasmania so it's a surprise that it's based on Trial Bay! I really love Judith Wright's poetry, the imagery she uses is just fantastic, I'd recommend it to everyone.
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excellent...
I have been trying to find this poem for so long...I recited this at our local estedford when I was 12. This poem was the inspiration to my writing my own poetry... I am 36 now...and I still remember how this poem affected me...it is haunting...
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