Shame

In nineteen sixtyseven

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

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 ashamed