Harried we were, and spent,
broken and falling,
ere as the cranes we went,
crying and calling.
Summer shall see the bird
backward returning;
never shall there be heard
those, who went yearning.
Emptied of us the land;
ghostly our going;
fallen like spears the hand
dropped in the throwing.
We are the lost who went,
like the cranes, crying;
hunted, lonely and spent
broken and dying.
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There is remarkable halting between the word placement. It is not a quick read, per se, because the pain, the loss, the "crying" is measured with each line. Each stanza can stand on its own (my favorite is 13-16).
I don't know if this relates properly, but I'm thinking of the movie, Rabbit Proof Fence, in which the rights of the "natives" were being stripped, and the children were forcably housed in missions thousands of miles away from their parents. -
this is a very touching poem and i really enjoyed your metaphors-- they were thoughtful and i feel you expanded on them nicely. good job!
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A lament for the disappearance of the Waradgery tribe of Australian aboriginies. This poet's compassion toward their extinction is evident. The realisation of the tribe, that they are doomed in poignantly portrayed, and the white man's indifference to them gives an air of sadness that is tangible.
Strong poem - written in the defence of a group of people who had their rights removed and were left 'broken and dying'
~von~ -
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There was another poem, written around the Waradgery tribe, called The Rogery Birds. It too was written by Dame Mary, and I learnt it back in primary school (20 odd years ago). Since then, I have never seen it published, but I get the feeling there's been a ballet or something created around it. It is another great poem, but it isn't listed here on OP. Will have to have a hunt for it here at home (think I have it on a piece of paper somewhere).
rose
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to rose--@ Rogery birds
you might want to try the following site and perhaps e-mail them your question:
http://australianpoems.tripod.com/ -
for Rose
Rose all I have found so far is that it was a musical score:
The rogery birds : music by Peter Tahourdin ; words by Mary Gilmore.
SCORE
Sydney : Chappell & Co., c1969.
1 score (8 p.) ; 24 cm.
The Rogery Birds
Voices in three parts, piano, descant recorders, percussion (tambourine, maracas, rhythm-sticks, side drum, cymbal, gong, bass drum).
AMC Library number: 782.7542/TAH 1 -
Let us all know if you find it (or remember it).
Jim
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