These two exceptional books should be sent to every household in Australia free of charge. They would be a perfect curative after the federal election. The campaigns of the conventional parties demonstrated how far indigenous Australia has fallen off the political radar screen. Fortunately, the independent creative work of Aboriginal thinkers, writers and artists continues to set high standards and often leads the way in the exploration of social, political and philosophical issues that many in mainstream culture are still unable to face.

Lionel Fogarty and Samuel Wagan Watson represent different generations of Aboriginal poetry. Fogarty’s first book, Kargun, appeared in 1980, while Watson’s first poem appeared in 1995 (Ulitarra 8). In 1999 Watson won the David Unaipon Prize for his unpublished manuscript, of muse, meandering and midnight (2000). In stylistic, rhetorical and perhaps experiential terms, their work is utterly distinct. Fogarty’s new book confirms him as one of the most significant and challenging poetry innovators in Australia today. Watson’s new collection demonstrates mastery of more readerly poetic idioms and techniques, drawn mostly from modern traditions galvanised by the Generation of ’68. Their distinctiveness signifies a progressive Aboriginal poetic culture that deals in complex ways with contemporary life – but it is in the sheer strength and clarity of their voices that Fogarty and Watson present a singular challenge to Australian literature.