The one hundred previously uncollected poems in this compendium represent works from the second half of Mary Gilmore's life. Demonstrating an increased poetic maturity in the control of form and tone, the verses reflect a more complex response to social and political issues--among them deep concerns about what Australians did to the continent's indigenous people and natural environment and commentary on the role and rights of women. More than a straight reprint, this variorum edition features a headnote for each poem listing all republications and their textual differences as well as the poet's notes and glosses.

Jennifer Strauss is a poet and the author of The Collected Verse of Mary Gilmore, Volume 1 as well as critical works on the poetry of Judith Wright and Gwen Harwood. A former associate professor in the department of English, she is now an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Queensland.