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 strenght 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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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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