This poem was originally written for the first Sorry Day in May, 1998. As part of my MA in Aboriginal studies, I did a lot of reading and wrote a lot of essays on the history of occupation of Australia by Britain and the subsequent impacts on its inhabitants. I guess it was a real eye and heart opener and I feel I want to somehow make sure people understand the reasons why this Sorry is so important.
Colonisation of lands has been going on for thousands of years – but one concern I have is that in our modern society – we continue to permit and maintain racist constructs so that the invader benefits to the detriment of the Indigenous. Should this attitude be permitted to continue? I think not…..I would like to Thank the Incumbent PM and his Cabinet for having the courage to raise this issue again…and give me a chance to bring this back into the Light.
I dedicate this to all the Aboriginal people I have met in my travels and to their families, past present and future.
(So, unfortunately I have lost the original text …..so I rewrote and I think I like it better now.)
My mother never told me
They came and stole your land,
My mother never told me
They used chains to bind your hand,
My mother never told me
And it is to my disgrace -
My mother never to me
They told lies to your face.
You see my mother said -
She said, she never knew,
Of murder, poison flour and
stealing children, too.
And now my mothers crying,
My country’s crying too -
This wide brown land is crying,
at atrocities against you
And now I know - it’s up to me,
To try and heal this rift.
To hold your brown hand in mine
Would be a special gift.
Together we can walk and talk,
Along this bumpy way -
And you can one day can call me Friend,
One Sunny Aussie Day.
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apathetic
amused
aggravated