Published in Overland Issue Print Issue 198 Autumn 2010 Main Posts / Writing settler’s mess Duncan Hose Having spent some years before the mast He became skipper of a flute Resumed his savage habits. He closed the yawning gap in the map Passed meticulously that fateful autumn and winter Almost continually … extraordinary. In his commodore’s brocaded frock and louche Hand, broad buttoned and boned Captain’s ribbon and Banks’s red star The rhythm of the deck, black sick. Built breeches Bays, rivers, islands, Knatchbull, rube lip Buttery ensign Salty Navy naval castoffs Bathurst to Mount York Insanity of the will as opposed to the intellect: ‘moral Insanity’ Gooseberry Widow of King Bungaree Due ceremony for your bogus title Your early smile Cicatrice your beautiful shoulders bastard Hobartian Gurgling affection from the swish branches Darling’s soft pneumonia Mesmerised by his London Lion quilltip Duterrau French paintings of pearl buttons So many English faces Brig Cyprus, overland on shoulders to Emu plains Torture is personal, mudguts Raised by Robert Percy Simpson, learn English Convert Early ‘aussies’ with cocky high court Sulphur hairdos, framed by the sparkling dust as young Athenians, well loved lambies, Macarthur’s face like a ramp Night, fresh seal, importunate blood braids Thomasine, Henrietta, day school in Sydney Where we think We put the bones of Gracie Soon we’ll have a derby day – top hat abstraction Gadfly The Melbourne headmaster is in the explorer room Fingering some important gob Of nickel His dirty daughter Vicky contemplates The green head of melba, medusa, touching the Ridges and gulches of the paintings Saturday morning upholstered with the silks And dressing-gowns of Chinese Australia. Duncan Hose Duncan Hose is runner-up in the 2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets. He is a poet and postgraduate scholar, currently living in Melbourne. More by Duncan Hose Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays First published in Overland Issue 228 11 November 202211 November 2022 Main Posts On the last day of Subscriberthon, our amazing online editor gives you one last (very good) reason to subscribe Editorial team What's in store for the last day of Subscriberthon? First published in Overland Issue 228 10 November 202210 November 2022 Main Posts On the second-last day of Subscriberthon, our favourite editor-duo give you reason #1002 to subscribe to Overland Editorial team What's in store for the second-last day of Subscriberthon?