On John Shaw Neilson

 Born in Penola in South Australia he spent many years in Victoria in Nhill

As a poet he became famous for his lyrical skill

He earned his living mostly as a labourer and worked hard for his pay

And in life nothing easy ever came his way

John Shaw Neilson is one rated by literary critics as one worthy of note

Today his name lives on as a major poet

Neilson's Cottage in Nhill Town is a memorial to honour his fame

Though poor in his lifetime he became a great literary name

In the year of nineteen forty two on the twelfth day of May

John Shaw Neilson the great poet from life passed away

He became a literary great despite hardship and poverty

The greatest ever poet of Victoria's Wimmera Mallee 

He only spent two years in school as a boy

Yet his poems to many are a source for joy

His beautiful poetry has stood the time test

As a poet many literary critics rate Neilson as one of Australia's best

So many great poems live on in his name

He is in Australia's poetry hall of fame

The love that bloomed in him in his poetry with others he did share

The John Shaw Neilsons of the World to say the least are rare.