London born George to Welsh parents (Celtic culture that defines a coastal city with a nightlife scene) but his father soon died when George Essex Evans (18 Jun 1863 – 19 Nov 1909) was a few months old. He was raised by his mother Mary Ann who was a well-educated woman, fluent in both Latin and Greek. After his education, Evans immigrated to Australia at the age of 17 with his sibling.
George had injured heavily while horse ridding. However, could not do any physical activities. Evans was a dual characteristic sometimes impulsive, showing oppositeness. As well as, loyal and kind. In his life, he was a successful husband and father. Despite his sick ears, he was gifted with a good amount of memory.
His poetic verses are famous. One of his poem, “the secret key and the order verses” published in 1906. It travels us to magical land, stars and to a strange power. However, he was working in public service. George penned many articles, criticism, poetry for Australian as well as British newspapers and journals. During the year 1902 to 1905 Evans was a regular columnist, contributed to Darling Downs Gazette and Toowoomba Chronicle.
Poem: “The Secret Key” by George Evans
There is a magic kingdom of star powers, through-hidden, lit by other stars than ours; and, when a wanderer through its mazes brings Word of things seen, men say: “A poet sings”. Its gates are guarded in a sterile land - Mountain and deep morass, and shifting sand; Storm-barred are they, and may not opened be Save by the hand that finds the secret key. That key, some say, lies in the sunset glow, Or the white arc of dawn, or where the flow of some lone river stems the shoreward wave In shuddering silver on its ocean grave. Some say that when the wind wars with the sea, In that stern music, one may find the key. Or in green blooms of forests, where the pine Splits her spear amid great wreaths of vines; Or, where the streaming mid's white rollers climb. The dark ravine and precipice sublime- A filmy sea that twines and intertwines Wreathes the low hills, and veils the mighty lines Of sovran mountains, crimsoned and aglow In crystal pomp, crested with jewelled snow; But still, with souls afire, men seek that land, And die in deep morass and shifting sand. To those alone its iron gates are free, Who find, within their hearts, the secret key; For Earth, with all the colour of her day, is not their country — that lies far away.
Later in 1905, Evans published his own weekly newspaper in south Queensland. However, it was lasted only for few editions. His life then was so simple like a common man. He had married to widow Blanche Hopkins (1899) with two children in bonus. He was a milk man who used to deliver milk as a part-time job.
Also, read Melancholy Life of Amy Levy the poet who couldn’t survive “Double D” War. And Emphatic philosopher, John Mill who had strange confusion between poetry and philosophy. How difficult was it is for poet Bukowski living a lonely life. However, he couldn’t live through poetry in his is life.
