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C J Dennis - Out West
Work rating: Low

"I`ve seen so much uv dirt an` grime
   I`m mad to `ave things clean.
I`ve seen so much uv death," `e said-
"So many cobbers lyin` dead -
   You won`t know wot I mean;
But, lad, I`ve `ad so much uv strife
I want things straightened in my life.

"I`ve seen so much uv `ate," `e said-
   "Mad `ate an` silly rage -
I`m yearnin` for clear thoughts," said `e.
"Kindness an` love seem good to me.
   I want a new, white page
To start all over, clean an` good,
An` live me life as reel men should."

We`re sittin` talkin` by the fence,
   The sun`s jist going` down,
Paintin` the sky all gold an` pink.
Said `e, "When it`s like that, I think -"
   An` then `e stops to frown.
Said `e, "I think, when it`s jist so,
Uv… God or somethin`: I dunno.

"I ain`t seen much uv God," said `e;
   "Not here nor Over There;
But, partly wot I`ve seen an` read,
An` partly wot the padre said,
   It gits me when I stare
Out West when it`s like that is now.
There must be somethin` else - some`ow.

"I`ve thought a lot," said Digger Smith -
   "Out There I thought a lot.
I thought uv death, an` all the rest,
An` uv me mates, good mates gone West;
   An` it ain`t much I`ve got;
But things get movin` in me `ead
When I look over there," `e said.

`E`s got me beat, `as little Smith.
   I knoo `im years ago:
I knoo `im as a reel tough boy
`Oo roughed it up with `oly joy;
   But now, well, I dunno.
An` when I ask Mar Flood she sighs -
An` sez `e`s got the Anzac eyes.

She sez `e`s got them soldier`s eyes,
   That makes `er own eyes wet.
An` we must give `im wholesome food
An` lead `is thoughts to somethin` good
   An` never let `im fret.
But `e ain`t frettin`, seems to me;
More - puzzled, fur as I can see.

The clouds above the hills was tore
   Apart, until some`ow,
It seemed like some big shinin` gate.
Said `e, "Why, lad, I tell yeh straight,
   I feel like startin` now,
An` walking on, an` on, an` thro`,
Dead game an` - ain`t it so to you?

"I`ve seen enough uv pain," `e said,
   "An` cursin`, killin` `ordes.
I ain`t the man to smooge with God
To get to `Eaven on the nod,
   Or `owl `ymns for rewards.
But this believin`? Why - Oh, `Struth!
This never `it me in me youth.

"They talk uv love `twixt men," said `e.
   "That sounds dead crook to you.
But lately I `ave come to see."…
"`Old on," I said; "it seems to me
   There`s love uv women too.
An` you?" `E turns away `is `ead.
"I`m only `alf a man," `e said.

"I`ve seen so much uv death," said `e,
   "Me mind is in a whirl.
I`ve `ad so many thoughts uv late."…
Said I, "Now tell me, tell me straight,
   Own up; ain`t there a girl?"
Said `e, "I`ve done the best I can.
Wot does she want with `arf a man?"

It weren`t no use. `E wouldn`t talk
   Uv nothin` but that sky.
Said `e, "Now, dinkum, talking square,
When you git gazin` over there
   Don`t you `arf want to cry?
I wouldn`t be surprised to see
An angel comin` out," said `e.

"Gone West!" said Digger Smith. "Ah, lad,
   I`ve seen them goin` West,
An` often wonder, when I look,
If they `ave `ad it dealt `em crook,
   Or if they`ve got the rest
They earned twice over by the spell
They spent down in that dinkum `Ell."

The gold was creepin` up, the sun
   Was `arf be`ind the range.
It don`t seem strange a man should cry
To see that glory in the sky -
   To me it don`t seem strange.
"Digger!" said `e. "Look at it now!
There must be somethin` else - some `ow."
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