{"code":"poetry","header_2":"The musical, the mesmeric and the masterful.","header_1":"The Best Poems of History","description":"The best poetry of history. Read or download. Clancy of the Overflow by Banjo Paterson, Invictus by W. E. Henley, The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.","stories":[{"story":"clancy-of-the-overflow","description":"The classic Australian bush Poet, Banjo Paterson, provides us with the number one poem, *Clancy of the Overflow*, about a simple city man contemplating the adventurous life of a rural stock drover. This poem is a harsh criticism of how dreary the rat race could feel, even in the 19th century."},{"story":"invictus","description":"*Invictus* is the literary embodiment of courage and resilience, and a cornerstone of British cultural pride in and of itself, having been quoted by Churchill in his books and speeches. It is said that W. E. Henley wrote this poem to express his pride in having braved the amputation of and subsequent surgeries around his leg."},{"story":"the-raven","description":"Although often referred to under the umbrella of the horror mystique surrounding Poe, *The Raven* is more of a tale of tragedy. A raven visits a man and torments him over the tragic loss of his lover while only ever saying one word over and over again."},{"story":"the-poets-of-the-tomb","description":"Henry Lawson comes to the defence of life and ambition against the dreary and miserable authors who he calls *The Poets of the Tomb*. The poem points out the value of a living man and the good that he can do if he doesn’t give up on life."},{"story":"the-geebung-polo-club","description":"*The Geebung Polo-Club* is one of the few comedic poems by Banjo Paterson, and has aged extremely weel for 19th century humour. A mountain-side polo club and a posh, city polo club have a match to determine who’s the best once and for all."},{"story":"alone","description":"*Alone* is a pure and honest piece on the feeling of being different and isolated. Although published after his death, evidence surrounding the original manuscript suggests this was written by Poe when he was only twenty. It is deeply heartfelt and sorrowful."},{"story":"if","description":"Rudyark Kipling’s widely famous poem *If* is a guide on how to stay on the straight and narrow path in life. It is a motivating poem full of wisdom."},{"story":"the-man-from-snowy-river","description":"This adventurous epic is a cornerstone of Australian identity, with references in modern songs, movies and literature, statues and a place alongside it’s author on the Australian $5 note. In this poem, A prized, young racehorse escapes into the wild, and all the best horsemen gather for one glorious chase."}],"title":"Best of Poetry","subroute":"poetry","authors":["banjopaterson","edgarallanpoe","williamernesthenley","henrylawson","rudyardkipling"],"has_text":true,"quote":{"quote":"“From childhood’s hour I have not been as others were.” * Alone","code":"alone"},"image_code":"alone","image_alt":"A man with a billowing coat looks at a spectral-faced cloud.","collection_type":"genre"}