Here, at the invaders talk-talk place,
We, who are the strangers now,
Come with sorrow in our hearts.
The Bora Ring, the Corroborees,
The sacred ceremonies,
Have all gone, all gone,
Turned to dust on the land,
That once was ours.
Oh spirits from the unhappy past,
Hear us now.
We come, not to disturb your rest.
We come, to mourn your passing.
You, who paid the price,
When the invaders spilt our blood.
Your present generation comes,
Seeking strength and wisdom in your memory.
The legends tell us,
When our race dies,
So too, dies the land.
May your spirits go with us
From this place.
May the Mother of life,
Wake from her sleeping,
and lead us on to the happy life,
That once was ours.
Oh mother of life,
Oh spirits from the unhappy past,
Hear the cries of your unhappy people,
And let it be so.
Oh spirits- Let it be so.
Notes
Read on the steps of Parliament House Canberra
Friday 27 March 1970.
"Reproduced with permission of John Wiley
and Sons, Australia".
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Comments
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From guest simone (contact)
i love my great grandmothers cousins peoms there mostly all about our land -
This poem reminds me of American Indian Chief Seattle's letter to President Franklin Pierce in 1854. Powerful and poignant...
"This shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you land, you must remember that it is sacred, and you must teach your children that it is sacred and that each ghastly reflection in the clear water of the lake tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water's murmur is the voice of my father's father."
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We need the old voices to gather and tell their stories again, then we need to start listening.
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We are all in this together
From guest Kevin (contact)
The poignancy of this poem reverberates for all people everywhere as we face the destruction of our own planet. How does one recognize or attain dream-time so far removed from the identity with the atmosphere and earth. -
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Dreamtime poem
From guest Easha (contact)
I found this poem to have so much meaning and movement whilst reading it. It is very touching in many ways and I absolutely loved it. -
From guest Katelyn (contact)
i love oodgeroo's poetry. reading it made me wake up and realise just how badly the indigenous peoples of australia really had it. it filled me with sympathy towards them and anger towards my white ancestors who no doubt plyed a part in the taking of native land. i respect Oodgeroo Noonuccal deeply! -
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for Katelyn
Oodgeroo Noonuccal was indeed an inspired poet. We are very fortunate to have 4 of her poems here (with permission of the copyright holders) We had to choose 4 only and the task was mine, I chose very carefully and I hope I made the correct decisions.
All 4 are favourite of mine plus her other work too.
Very pleased you enjoyed your visit.
Von - Oldpoetry Team
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What a beautiful poem! I love how the first line sets the tone with the use of the word talk-talk. The sense of loss is palpable at once.
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From guest Chantelle (contact)
I absolutely adore this poem, being a young aboriginal myself to read this poem is just so inspiring, it's so unique more than words can say! -
A heartfelt lament of times gone. The original keepers of the land talk and sing of their sadness at the passing of their way of life. A mournful tune to this poem - the reality of the emotions felt are powerful indeed.
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beautiful
From guest jd (contact)
I thought this poem was absolutely beautiful!, being an aboriginal myself this gives me sumthing to look up to! -
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From guest Katie (contact)
i love this poem, i think its deep and portrays the troubles of the aboriginal people in a way that will promote understanding and awareness for people as well as an emotional trigger -
I love the spirit of this write. It could apply to any native people in any place that has been either colonialized or decimated. Being of Native American heritage, I hear my soul in these words. Powerfully written with great love for life and history. Worth reading over and over.
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Wow! Very inspiring.
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This is fantastic, i'm not really big on poetry, but this was as good as food to my soul. Thank you
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this is an amazing poem. very inspiring
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How beautiful. I am so glad I decided to visit her work
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