Can someone help me with Randolph Stows poem “My Wish for my land”?
Stow was from my state but I have never read this Australian poem before. The fact that the first story is dated is interesting. The Woman we meet is very colonial in her attitude. Her world is perfect and her wishes very civilized. She has no need to fear or hate. Her home is gentle and refined. It is as if she is cut off from anything nasty. Her world is just that …her world and she is very far removed from the rest of the world! The enemy has wishes far more complicated. His world is one ravished by war, hate, fear and a desire for revenge. His is the world of post war Japan and the horror of the atomic bombing. His desires are covered. He courts nations like Australia but hides his true feelings. Like a false lover he wins his way into the land of the enemy where he intends to conquer by subtle invasion. He will absorb large sections of Australia via crafty commerce. Once this land is in his debt then he will have his revenge for the tragedy and dishonour of defeat, The Australia
