Wrecked Illusions
July 6, 2023Villanelle
July 6, 2023
Voices
Tjere are three mighty Voices that always
Cry out to God to speed His Judgment Day.
The Voice of Devils, weary long ago
Of dragging souls to Everlasting Woe.
The Voice of Saints who hear, while anthems swell
In Heaven, the wail of sinners doomed to Hell.
The Voice of Man, sick of his desperate
Long throwing ’gainst the leaded dice of Fate.
All things are weary of the strife and stress—
In God alone is there no weariness?
Victor James Daley (1858-1905) was an Australian poet and writer who is often associated with the Australian bush poetry tradition. His work was characterized by a love of the Australian landscape and a deep sense of patriotism. Daley's poetry often celebrated the Australian way of life, and he was one of the first writers to use the Australian vernacular in his work. Despite his relatively short life, Daley was an important figure in Australian literature and his poetry has been widely studied and admired.