Comparing Migrants By Bruce Dawe And Peter Skrzynecki

Introduction
A form of literature using a series of techniques, Poetry evokes meaning like no other form of writing. Poetry in Australia seeks to recall stories and truths through its richness and diversity. The subject of belonging by means of migration is prominent in many poetic works, but none more so than in the pieces created by Bruce Dawe and Peter Skrzynecki. Exploring the same theme, the poems are written from opposite perspectives.

Context
Migrants by Bruce Dawe is written from observations Dawe himself experienced throughout his life. Growing up on a farm in Geelong Victoria, Dawe is no immigrant himself. Written in a narrative form, Migrants tells of a journey Dawe has created through his ability to emphasise and understand people

However as the poem continues the theme also centred around belonging. With the use of personification in the phrase ‘the skies still stayed friendly’ Dawe emphasis although Australian give a lack of courtesy ‘shouted at like deaf’ the overall vibe was welcoming. And as the poem unravels this is theme is emphasised through the lines ‘earth and water were being blent, As it pulsed up in rich wells from underground’. Just like water was blending into the ground softening it, the barrier between the immigrants and the Australians was being soften as they slowly began to fit in. The reference to a ‘rich well’ implies an invaluable resource, invaluable in the same way the immigrants are being accepted, both positives for future

He has done this through a diverse range of poetic devices. In the very first stanza, he wishes the audience to picture the status of St Patricks College with the lines ‘Impressed by the uniforms’ and ‘With never a thought, to fees and expenses’. He also recounts during his first day ‘Our Lady watched, with outstretched arms’ and then compares this with he last day ‘Our lady was still watching, Above, unchanged by eight years weather’. This allows the reader to feel the somber mood Skrzynecki felt knowing that he had spent eight years in the one place and still, after all the time felt not