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This is the fourth collection of poetry by Chris Wallace-Crabbe, a cosmopolitan poet who once again covers a wide range of subjects in a style that is sometimes "deadly serious," sometimes intensely playful and witty, sometimes quite simple in its celebration of the poet's home country, Australia. In Rungs of Time the clutter of living both enchants and perplexes the poet: a poem that lists a hundred or so things that "are in the saddle and ride mankind" contrasts with philosophical introspection.
The collection examines the tension between the mundane clutter of daily existence and the persistent weight of philosophical inquiry. Through a series of lyrical observations, the poet navigates the landscape of Australia and the internal geography of the human mind. The work utilizes a shifting perspective that moves between sharp, witty commentary on modern life and quiet, reflective moments of observation. The narrative framework is non-linear, presenting a collection of distinct poetic voices that collectively address the passage of time and the human condition.
Readers and critics often note the versatility of the poet's voice, which shifts fluidly between humor and gravity. Discussion frequently centers on the poet's ability to balance specific Australian imagery with broader, universal existential questions. Many observers highlight the collection's structural variety as a key feature that keeps the pacing engaging throughout the volume. The work is generally regarded as a significant contribution to the poet's body of work, reflecting a mature engagement with the complexities of contemporary life.
Page Count:
64
Publication Date:
1993-10-07
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192831607
ISBN-13:
9780192831606
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