ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Ned Kelly's Secret Burial

Ned Kelly's being buried, but they will not tell me where.
I should be at that burial. I think it's only fair.
I've always loved Ned Kelly. How dare they shut me out?
I'm going to rage and shake my fists and swear and scream and pout.

I own Ned Kelly's legacy. It's made me what I am.
It's been infused into my blood since I was in the pram.
Who do his family think they are? How selfish can they be?
There's no-one more deserving than myself. Why can't they see?

It should be on the tele as they place him in the ground,
Or else the spot they've buried him may not be ever found
By anyone who's not descended from him through their blood.
I'm from a different tree, and yet I'm part of that same bud.

There's thousands who would visit. They could make a lot of dough.
Why they're being so shortsighted I will never know.
This is just the thing to put old Greta on the map.
Tourist hordes from far and wide would nestle in their lap.

What a mighty fillip for the town's economy.
There's not an argument against it. Surely, you agree?
The site of Kelly's burial, it should be widely shared.
They're being so respectful, why...you'd think they really cared.

Stephen Whiteside 16.01.2013

STEPHEN just because you may have no respect for your great grand parents

please respect other people thoughts about theirs.

bill the old battler

You're on the ball Stephen with this tongue in cheek write - no doubt the family do really care and rather nice to think that they are not turning their well documented and notorious ancestors last resting place into a money making machine - it could well become the Gracelands of Australia perhaps were it public knowledge - or worse thought a gathering place for irreverent graffiti wielding vandals.

So let the mystery remain - suffice to know that his somewhat depleted bones are at last laid to rest.

Cheers

Maureen

Thanks, Maureen.

A good point, Stephen, and well summarised, Maureen.

Bill: Stephen is saying exactly the opposite of what you think. He is supporting the family's respect for Kelly. Read the poem again.

David

Thanks, David.

I've obviously missed something in the news. Can you fill me in Stephen?

Heather

Here's the link, Heather:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-16/b ... ed/4467058

Thanks Stephen. Tricky problem. Your poem sums it up well.

Anthony Griffiths is a relative - not a descendant.

A long time ago I did some family research for a lady in QLD. She had contacted me seeking info on the family name Knights and wondered if we were related. What I ended up finding was very exciting. Her Knights were related to Ned Kelly through another of his sisters from memory and the lady had no idea of the link.

Heather