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Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 5:13 pm
by Catherine Lee

Custodians


We watched you raise the roof when you had left us all bereft—
you stole and pillaged, raped and killed, till we had nothing left.
You pranced beneath those timeless stars with drunken, foolish cheers,
your people standing wall to wall to shout unfounded jeers.
You sang of being champions, yet trapped beneath the trees
we cowered, captives to your strength, brought harshly to our knees—
foreseeing all the changes you would wreak upon our shores,
withheld our country’s welcome, feared the havoc you would cause.

But this did not deter you in your manic ruthless greed,
your arrogance and malice - taking more than you could need.
You proved to be our nemesis, a terrifying force
that turned the page of history and steered us all off course.
At last you pay attention now, though progress has been slow,
esteeming our traditions gleaned from tribes of long ago.
Our thanks to those who heed the call of centuries of pride,
and mourn the truth of shameful acts that cannot be denied.

For those who try to make amends and show us great respect,
we value your sincerity, are happy to connect;
yet deep within our souls some wounds are difficult to heal,
and trust is sometimes fragile while such memories are real.
The facts proclaim that we who stood here first upon this land
are linked to her in sacred ways you cannot understand;
we breathe her very essence, her custodians remain,
from north to south and east to west, revering her terrain.

Our drawings on the ancient caves attest to expertise,
inherent faith in forebears and the Dreamtime’s mysteries.
We welcome you to country now, our culture on display,
rejoice when you appreciate our ancient, mystic way.
The past is far behind us, though there’s still some change to see,
so when we teach our children of their priceless legacy,
our dignity and freedom we will constantly impart
as long as didges drone to touch the core of every heart.

© Catherine Lee, 2020

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 9:17 am
by Maureen K Clifford
Love it Catherine and I totally agree with what you have expressed here - that last line is the icing on the cake. Well done ..... I can see this poem doing very well in some comps as well do hope you plan to share it. :D

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:50 pm
by Catherine Lee
Thanks so much Maureen, and I appreciate the vote of confidence regarding sharing it. I will think about it as a possible competition entry some time :D

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:02 pm
by Shelley Hansen
I agree, Catherine - definitely potential here for competition!

What an original use you have made of the prompts - well done indeed! I have drawn a complete blank on these so far ... they mock me from my writing desk each time I pass! How much time do I have left??? :?

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:57 pm
by Catherine Lee
Thank you Shelley - I agree these ones are particularly tough for some reason! I don't quite know where this take on them came from, except that I was trying for something different... Knowing you, you'll come up with something very soon! :D

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 3:43 pm
by Terry
Hi Catherine

Well written as to be expected with anything you write.

Congratulations on your recent wins too Catherine you're certainly on a roll.

As you know I've been, lazing away down on a lovely beach and catching King George Whiting.
Speaking of writing I haven't written anything new (apart from homework) for some months,
Been too busy getting my new book (Chasing Rainbows) finished and published.
But on the plus side I have started on a couple of new poems while away.

Cheers and keep on with the excellence of your writing.

Terry

Re: Homework 9th March 2020

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 4:45 pm
by Catherine Lee
Wow, that’s a highly valued compliment for me, Terry – thank you so much, and also of course for your warm congratulations! It sounds like you’ve been having a wonderful time catching fish and preparing your book. Sincere Congratulations on completing it – very exciting, and I love the name of it too.