ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

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

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

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

Heather

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.

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

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.

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)

Makes you stop and think. William Joseph Punch

Brilliant Davo ...

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