AustLit
An Australian Conference of the Birds
single work
"Through shdow-drifting veils of time and distance"
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Notes
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Dedication: Dedicated to the memory of Farid ud-Din Attar.
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Epigraph: Attar is the Soul Itself - Rumi
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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'A Pot Full of Ancient Mysteries' : An Australian Version of Attar's The Conference of the Birds
2017
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Asiatic , December vol. 11 no. 2 2017;'The thirteenth century Sufi text, The Conference of the Birds, describes a journey undertaken by a group of birds to find their king. It is an allegorical presentation of the mystical quest. The teachings are extensively illustrated by parables. An Australian Conference of the Birds, written in 1995 by Australian poet Anne Fairbairn (1928-), is a tribute to Attar’s poem, using Australian birds within an Australian bush setting. The poem also includes a quest for the King of the Birds. There are some important differences in the spirituality of the two poems. The Australian version places a lesser emphasis on the place of ethical behaviour in the life of the aspirant. There is little concern for the stages of growth in the development of mystical awareness. Successful completion of the quest itself is an individual physical achievement.' (Introduction)
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Wisdom on the Wing
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Southerly , Spring vol. 56 no. 3 1996; (p. 224-225)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
On a Poetic Flight of Fancy
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Campus Review , 28 August-3 September vol. 6 no. 33 1996; (p. 6)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
Untitled
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Five Bells , April vol. 3 no. 3 1996; (p. 8-9)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
Verse Shaped by the Nature of the Land
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: The Mercury , 29 January 1996; (p. 24)
— Review of Images, Reflections : Gathering Tributes : Poems 1995 selected work poetry ; An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry ; Throwaway Moon : new and selected poems 1995 selected work poetry ; Cold Wires of Rain 1995 selected work poetry
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Verse Shaped by the Nature of the Land
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: The Mercury , 29 January 1996; (p. 24)
— Review of Images, Reflections : Gathering Tributes : Poems 1995 selected work poetry ; An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry ; Throwaway Moon : new and selected poems 1995 selected work poetry ; Cold Wires of Rain 1995 selected work poetry -
An Australian Narrative Inspired by Sufi Classic
1995
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 16 December 1995; (p. C12)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
Untitled
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Five Bells , April vol. 3 no. 3 1996; (p. 8-9)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
On a Poetic Flight of Fancy
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Campus Review , 28 August-3 September vol. 6 no. 33 1996; (p. 6)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
Wisdom on the Wing
1996
single work
review
— Appears in: Southerly , Spring vol. 56 no. 3 1996; (p. 224-225)
— Review of An Australian Conference of the Birds 1995 single work poetry -
'A Pot Full of Ancient Mysteries' : An Australian Version of Attar's The Conference of the Birds
2017
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Asiatic , December vol. 11 no. 2 2017;'The thirteenth century Sufi text, The Conference of the Birds, describes a journey undertaken by a group of birds to find their king. It is an allegorical presentation of the mystical quest. The teachings are extensively illustrated by parables. An Australian Conference of the Birds, written in 1995 by Australian poet Anne Fairbairn (1928-), is a tribute to Attar’s poem, using Australian birds within an Australian bush setting. The poem also includes a quest for the King of the Birds. There are some important differences in the spirituality of the two poems. The Australian version places a lesser emphasis on the place of ethical behaviour in the life of the aspirant. There is little concern for the stages of growth in the development of mystical awareness. Successful completion of the quest itself is an individual physical achievement.' (Introduction)
