Why write your history on a flag?
When all you need is your identity
Rather than who ruled you long ago
That does not reflect the here and now
Are you proud now of the distant past
First settlers were convicts not the free
Now you accept those from whole wide world
What flag for them should be now unfurled?
Oops! I almost forgot native folk
Who fly a flag of their very own
Aboriginees whose land this was
Once counted as fauna and that, because?
Don't write your history on a flag
But let it shout aloud with great pride
This is my country we are all but one
We're proud of our land we get things done
Image found at https://www.mamamia.com.au/australian-racism-sarah-macdonald/
I love the inclusiveness of this poem, my friend. So many homelands among the residents of our countries, which I think is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent--both the argument and the feel of the poetry. History, written in symbol or in words, is rarely inclusive. But maybe the present can be--if we let go of the sins of the past. Like, yes, including the Aborigines. thank you for your comment on my poem!
ReplyDeleteAh, but nations do tend to write their history on a flag, conveniently forgetting most of it, of course, to advance their own agenda.
ReplyDelete"This is my country we are all but one" Hope our politicos listen to this voice of conscience. A beautiful poem Robin.
ReplyDeleteA great end stanza, Robin, which embraces everyone:
ReplyDelete'Don't write your history on a flag
But let it shout aloud with great pride
This is my country we are all but one
We're proud of our land we get things done'.
Hmmm, my own passionate effusion quite forgot (tsk!) the many non-Anglo migrants who might have their own ideas about a future flag for our country! Thanks for this, which offers the best solution.
ReplyDeleteInclusive and reflective of the diversity of modern nations — we don't have to recount histories on the flags (unless those borne of struggle for freedom and against repression) that were limiting in scope and belonged to a few privileged sections. Inclusion and the belief in oneness is the only way to go. I liked your ending lines too.
ReplyDelete-HA
Yes indeed let the flag furl and flap in the breeze of consciousness knowing history is only part of itself in the making of nationhood
ReplyDeleteHappy you dropped bu my blog
much love...
" Don't write your history on a flag
ReplyDeleteBut let it shout aloud with great pride.."- Absolutely! For those who revere the flag, they almost always do so as a symbol of love and that makes the flag so profound. A powerful message conveyed so eloquently, Robin.
I love your take on the prompt Robin, it breathes of hope, of inclusiveness.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was unaware aborigine's have their own flag and I think this wonderful. All to often the descendants of settlers (in all continents) forget those 'whose land this was' marginalise them and treat them with indifference.
Kind regards
Anna :o]
Good points made, Robin. Powerful last stanza.
ReplyDeleteI love the tone of patriotism here. Good of you to mention the Aboriginees- we hear so little of them.
ReplyDelete