Parrotnoia

Anyone from the Northern Hemisphere who is the least bit interested in birds cannot help but notice the bold quirkiness of Australian avian fauna. Where else can one have a flock of feathered rainbows (lorikeets) perch all over your head and body while feeding on honeyed bread from your hand? In which other capital city do cyclists and joggers wear spiked helmets in spring to ward off attacks by magpies? Also, if eating al fresco, watch out for a giant thieving kingfisher: the kookaburra just does not give a damn. It would indeed take psychoanalysis to begin to understand these 'birds with attitude'. 

The first part of this little book sets out to explore, in poetry and drawings, the eccentric foibles of some common Australian birds, from the gorgeous tiny blue wren through the beautiful, brash parrots to the intimidating emu, while reflecting on the wonderful generosity of Australian avian fauna.

The second part of the book continues the theme of the somewhat unnerving strangeness of Australian parrots in the mystery novelette, 'Parrotnoia'. When the Dreamtime world of Down Under - in the form of a large black cockatoo - makes a visitation to a private school in England that harbours delusions of academic grandeur, things take a sinister turn.

About the Author

David Harrison was born in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England but spent half his life in London and SE England before moving to Sydney, Australia in 1981 and becoming an Australian citizen. After retiring from a career in scientific research which entailed writing and publishing many scientific papers and reports, David decided he’d like to try his hand at creative writing and took a course with the poet Kate Llewellyn. With Kate’s encouragement he started writing poetry. He was a member of the Central Coast Poets from 2004 until moving to Canberra recently and had poems published in their anthologies, as well as in Five Bells and the Quadrant Magazine. His poem Poor Man Hiro was awarded second prize in the Henry Kendal Poetry Award 2012 and his poem In Praise of Grey was awarded first prize in the Free Verse Category competition of the University of the third age, Sunshine Coast. His first book of poems, Songs of the Exile (Ginninderra Press) was published in 2017.

David is married to June from whom Paul inherits his artistic talent. Their daughter Sita has inherited David’s scientific interests.