Gone
Cry my child; you are wrenched from my heart
Taken far away, forever to be apart
White collar men say this is the way
They are superior, I have no say.
Cry my child, no longer you walk in my clan
Locked away, become an angry young man
Whipped to follow, a white mans rule
Ridiculed, taunted, always thought a fool.
I cry my child, you, I’ll never again hold
Never forget you, when I’m very old
Walking creek beds or great desert sand
Peaceful existence when this was my land.
I cry my child; these men seek my women
Shave their head, then worked like stockmen
Taken away from their ancient way of life
Bed with a white man, never called a wife.
I cry for my land, my traditions have disappeared
Gone is the lifestyle when all my food was speared
Gone is the hope I can return to my land
Gone is the time I was free, proud and grand.
David J Delaney
07/04/2009 ©
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Your words have brought the suffering, sadness, and horrific plight of the many (original Australians) who occupied this beautiful, vast land to the fore. Captured by the white man of(yesterday)to search for their place in a new society, which they used to know as home.
I am (like so many of us) are in awe of your brilliant poetic voice, sending out messages which make us think.
Your mate in Melbourne/Australia, Stuart
Watched the Rabbit Proof fence, and that had me in tears..Thought the Movie with Hugh Jackman and Nicole wasn't bad, and Loved the Grandfather in that..also shades of the same. The white domination over the indigenous ppls, has been nothing shy of shameful, as I know from what went on over the ditch too. Our family was hit with a full on frontal assult that way, but in reverse gear coz of a supposed utu!! Story goes that a Maori Boy, was taken for the governors son, his family brutally murdered, grew up as a white boy...some years later, My GGrandfather lost his 13th Child, taken..some say for payback, never saw her again, but weve found her and her children and their childrens children..Lots of them :):)
I hate it, always have, we are all human, no matter the colour race or creed and it stinks like a dead rat, that some ppl think that white is superior..to that I say "Cobblers"
Feigned apology by our Gov here, pffft what bollocks..they still have them penned up in the Alice region, and the Territory whats left of it that is our land anyway!!
OOOH I better quit while I'm ahead. It's amazing how a write such as this, envokes such thoughts and feelings, MATE you achieved such with this.
So hows the weather up there eh...We got RAIN!!
Great write good to catch up, I reckon you would be a Johnny Williamson Fan too!
Hugzzz Ch'erie
Much peace, love, and light and Namaste,
Amber "V"
forefather's values. You put it so eloquently and excellently, I reread this several times for study and relish, a full poetic meal.
Cynthia