BALLAD OF TWO MASSACRES - Graham Fredriksen

[manfredvijars]

BALLAD OF TWO MASSACRES - Graham Fredriksen
(THE WILLIAM JOSEPH PUNCH STORY)
(c) Graham Fredriksen 1956 - 2010

[Maureen K Clifford]

Makes you weep - for the orphaned baby, for young Billy, for William the soldier and the man., and the storytelling poetic skills of Graham.

This is Australia's history - though some choose to deny it. Thank you for sharing it Mannie

Cheers

Maureen

[Heather]

A beautifully written and poignant poem. Thanks for sharing it Manfred.

Heather

[r.magnay]

G'day Manfred, a great literary tribute to ONE event in Australian history, (that I doubt anyone would deny but only a few of us dwell on.) Thanks for giving us the chance to see it.

[Neville Briggs]

Does anyone know what happened to the perpetrators of the action at Bland River ?

[Vic Jefferies]

Brilliant poem by Graham Manfred thank you for posting it. How ironic that someone should die for the powers who saw the massacre of his family.

[manfredvijars]

Ross, I reckon all aspects of our Australian history are worthwhile dwelling on for a full understanding ... explorers, bushrangers, pastrolists and black-fellas. Our history has brought us to here. There have been many explorers, bushrangers (and black-fella massacres). As writers I believe we look for those obscure stories that may have been overlooked. These become our discoveries and worthwhile (re)telling.

Nev, I'm sure the answers are out 'there' ...

I like Graham's structures in this piece, particularly his first stanza and then his use of the seventh echoing as a refrain - and 'regular' quatrains interspersing the story.
Breaks the story up well while highlighting the "irony" (thanks Vic)

[Dave Smith]

Makes you stop and think.

GS_W1_0018_PUNCH1_LP[1].jpg

William Joseph Punch

[manfredvijars]

Brilliant Davo ...

[Heather]

More than just a pretty face Dave! In your photo album was it?