Australian poet Michael Dransfield (1948–1973) second published poetry collection. He was active in the 1960s and early 1970s and wrote close to 1,000 poems. He has been described as one of the most widely-read poets of his generation. He died when 34 years old. This book deals with two basic themes: a celebration of the joy, the danger and the fragility of being alive, and a deep concern about the contemporary problems of totalitarian governments, war and pollution. The poems have a great charm and gaiety, as well as a strongly felt anger and rebellion against the impassive concrete-glacier of modern urban life.

“where time is a flower, a stone, days / drop their rich litter…”

Michael Dransfield “The Inspector of Tides”. First published in 1972. This edition was published by the University of Queensland Press in 1973 as part of the “Paperback Poets” series. Donated to the Sea Library by Australian poet Felicity Plunkett ❤️ “A copy of an older Australian poetry title I feel may resonate,” Felicity writes in an added postcard.

Photos by Anna Iltnere / Sea Library