Review of Land of the Dreamtime (Sunday 12th / Monday 13th November 2000)
This poem beautifully captures the liminal space between night and day, earth and sky, past and future—a transformative moment experienced while flying high above the world. The opening line immediately places the reader in a timeless and almost magical moment of transition:
“Sunday, or is it Monday?
A magical alchemical moment
At 36,500 feet”
The ambiguity of time here mirrors the fluidity of consciousness during a flight, a space where earthly concerns momentarily dissolve.
The poem evokes a strong sensory and emotional connection to Australia, described as a place of spiritual awakening and homecoming:
“As soon as we approached the tip of Australia
Somehow I knew, without knowing
Except that I felt it
She welcomed me
With a silent electric storm”
The personification of Australia as a welcoming, almost sentient entity sets the tone of reverence and intimacy. The “silent electric storm” is a striking image—a paradox of power and calm, mystery and illumination.
Vivid visual imagery draws the reader into the aerial view:
“A most spectacular aerial view
Looking down upon the flashes and flares
Lighting the clouds below from inside
Illuminating their contours and form
As if they were hollow”
This is a moment of awe and wonder, a celestial perspective that expands beyond the physical journey into the metaphysical. The clouds “illuminated from inside” evoke a sense of inner light and spiritual illumination.
The transition to daylight acts as a metaphor for renewed hope and possibility:
“At last, daylight!
Glowing subtly over the edges of the Earth
Mesmerised by the unfolding scene”
The “edges of the Earth” phrase evokes the feeling of entering a new phase or realm, a fresh beginning.
The poem then reflects on Australia as a “magical process of creative visualisation / And dreaming,” emphasizing the power of intention and hope in shaping reality. The poet identifies as a dreamer, finding resonance in the “Land of the Dreamtime,” a term rich with Indigenous Australian cultural significance that evokes ancient spiritual stories and connection to the land.
The symbolic journey “Following the yellow brick road / To the Sagittarius heartlands” blends personal mythology with archetypal imagery, suggesting a quest for wholeness, purpose, and connection with the sacred feminine:
“In search of wholeness and connection
With the Great Mother, Nature
With the land, the ocean, the sky
The untamed presence of big country”
Here, the natural world becomes both the destination and the guide, embodying a spiritual path and inner calling.
Conclusion
Land of the Dreamtime is a luminous meditation on journeying—physical, emotional, and spiritual. It blends the wonder of travel with a deep yearning for belonging and connection to the land and to self. The poet’s use of vivid natural imagery and mythic symbolism creates a rich tapestry of feeling, inviting readers to contemplate their own inner callings and the magic of returning home, in whatever form that may take.
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