Off the Bluebush

Front matter

Reading edition

[Frontispiece: Off The Blue Bush By JP Bourke]

To the West and the People of the West TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA Golden State of Golden Hearts So Warm, So True So Generous in their Welcome of a Wanderer TO THE MEMORY OF OLD MATES Women and Men The Fondest and the Best Who, even for me, Made Life a Brave Adventure and TO MY MOTHER With all the Love that I shall never speak This poor token of reverence, All I could, for all I would I humbly offer.

John Philip Bourke.

When I am dead Bring me no roses white, Nor lilies spotless And immaculate, But from the garden roses red, Roses full blown And by the noon sun kissed, Bring me the roses That my life has missed When I am dead.

J. P. BOURKE.

Illustration from Off the Bluebush: Verses for Australians West and East