Buffalo Country

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Narrative Poem
Out where the grey streams glide, Sullen and deep and slow, And the alligators slide From the mud to the depths below Or drift on the stream like a floating death, Where the fever comes on the south wind's breath, There is the buffalo. Out of the big lagoons, Where the Regia lilies float, And the Nankin heron croons With a deep ill-omened note, In the ooze and the mud of the swamps below Lazily wallows the buffalo, Buried to nose and throat. From the hunter's gun he hides In the jungle's dark and damp, Where the slinking dingo glides And the flying foxes camp; Hanging like myriad fiends in line Where the trailing creepers twist and twine And the sun is a sluggish lamp. On the edge of the rolling plains Where the coarse cane grasses swell, Lush with the tropic rains In the noontide's drowsy spell, Slowly the buffalo grazes through Where the brolgas dance, and the jabiru Stands like a sentinel. All that the world can know Of the wild and the weird is here, Where the black men come and go With their boomerang and spear, And the wild duck darken the evening sky As they fly to their nests in the reed beds high When the tropic night is near.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem captures the raw essence of nature's wildness and the circle of life, depicted through the evocative image of the buffalo in its natural environment. The theme of life and survival in the wilderness pervades the poem, with the buffalo's struggle and adaptability symbolizing the resilience of life itself.

The poet's use of vivid language and imagery, such as "the alligators slide from the mud to the depths below," and "the wild duck darken the evening sky," creates a vivid and immersive tapestry of the wilderness that is both beautiful and harsh. The tone is somber and reflective, emphasizing the harsh realities of life in the wild, yet admiring its beauty and resilience.

The structure of the poem, consistent in its rhythm and rhyme scheme, mirrors the steady, relentless flow of nature and time. The poet's use of repetition, particularly "the buffalo," creates a hypnotic rhythm that further enhances the immersive experience of the poem.

The poem also features noteworthy literary devices such as personification and simile. The phrase, "the sun is a sluggish lamp," is a striking example of personification that enhances the poem's mood of languor and danger. Meanwhile, the simile in "drift on the stream like a floating death," not only visualizes the scene but infuses it with a sense of foreboding.

In this poem, the poet beautifully portrays the struggle for existence in the wild, captured through the lens of the buffalo's life. It is a study in resilience, survival, and the stark beauty of nature, rendered in rich and evocative language.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.