Rock Art, Kakadu National Park
In nineteen sixty seven
As a new
Australian
An immigrant no
less
Registered to
vote
I was now
entitled
To say whether
The Aboriginal
people
Of this great
land
Been here for about
Forty thousand years
Should be given the vote!
Was I proud?
Whiteys came scarcely
Two hundred years ago
“Terra Nullis” they said
Forty thousand years
Should be given the vote!
Was I proud?
Whiteys came scarcely
Two hundred years ago
“Terra Nullis” they said
Empty that is
except for
A culture older
than theirs
Art telling their
history
Stories of their
beliefs
A strict rule of
law
Education for the
young
Dancing to
inspire
Songs to weep
over
I was shamed
Mother Tree by Mrs Wallace
Yes, well. Yes. Apparantly it takes more than humanity to recognize other humans. Compassion. You have it.
ReplyDeleteLoved this, Robin. An ancient culture - aboriginal people world wide are the ones who can teach us about living with the land. Julian Lennon participated in a wonderful documentary called Whaledreamer, a gathering of aborginal shamans and wise people in Australia, from all over the earth,. who stood on the banks of an ancient calling place, where they sang to the whales - and the whales came in response, as they did in years of old. Remarkable.
ReplyDeleteWow what Sherry told...I feel also the urgency to correct this historical nonsense. Well written, Robin.
ReplyDeleteSort of reminds me of the Native Americans who were shoved back into the worst places in the states to reside.
ReplyDeleteThe veneers get fancier, but it's the same system we've had since caveman days: conquer someone else and lay down the rules. I like to think we're finally getting better as a species, but it's probably just better propaganda.
ReplyDeleteNicely pointed out the naked truth of our so called civilization!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Aussie, I know just what you mean! Pretty disgusting, eh?
ReplyDeleteSometimes humanity needs to come down a peg or two to realise that it isn't what it claims to be...thank you for reminding us of that...quietly quietly what is truly human is seen and acknowledged by those special people who care ;)
ReplyDeleteBetter to feel the shame than to be so shameless.
ReplyDeleteyour lines reflect the truth so well..
ReplyDeleteAborigines were classified as flora and fauna before they were given the vote. Nice painting !
ReplyDeletethank you Oldegg for this honest work. am glad that you wrote from the heart.
ReplyDeleteA powerful statement Robin. I think it is the gentle types that get ramrodded by the ones who seem to outclass the other.
ReplyDeleteThe aboriginal people so talented how could man not see ???