Legend (poem)
"Legend" is a poem by Australian poet Judith Wright.
It was originally published in The Bulletin on 13 December 1950, and was subsequently reprinted in the author's single-author collections and a number of Australian poetry anthologies.
Synopsis
The poem tells the tale of an adventurous young boy who sets out one day with a rifle on his shoulder. At first he aims to conquer nature but as his journey progresses his arrogance fades and he becomes to appreciate the world around him. He finally returns home with a rainbow on his shoulder rather than a rifle.
Critical reception
In her introduction to Wright's Collected Poems, Judith Rodriguez noted that this poem is "a repurposing of old folk-tale tropes – gun, sword, evil-omened blackbird – hints at Wright’s burgeoning interest in myth and legend."
Publication history
After the poem's initial publication in The Bulletin it was reprinted as follows:Australian Poetry 1951-1952 edited by Kenneth Mackenzie, Angus and Robertson, 1952Jindyworobak Anthology edited by William Hart-Smith and Gloria Rawlinson, 1952The Gateway by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1953New Song in an Old Land edited by Rex Ingamells, Longmans Green, 1954The Boomerang Book of Australian Poetry edited by Enid Moodie Heddle, Longmans Green, 1956A Book of Australian Verse edited by Judith Wright, Oxford University Press, 1956Five Senses : Selected Poems by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1963Judith Wright : Selected Poems by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1963Judith Wright : Collected Poems, 1942-1970 by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1971New Oxford Book of Australian Verse edited by Les Murray, Oxford University Press, 1986Anthology of Australian Religious Poetry edited by Les Murray, Collins Dove, 1986Peace and War : A Collection of Poems edited by Michael Harrison, 1989A Human Pattern : Selected Poems by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1990Collected Poems 1942-1985 by Judith Wright, Angus and Robertson, 1994