ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WHY?

Maureen Clifford ©The #ScribblyBark Poet

He’s the face you see but don’t see – he is everywhere around.
He might be your closest neighbour or just a face in town.
You might see him on the buses or you spot him on the train
or each morning busking in the mall in sunshine and in rain.

He’s the one you sometimes see in pubs or on your local street.
He may be the one on park benches dishevelled or asleep.
Or every second weekend with his kids he's in the mall
but generally the sad truth is you don’t see him at all.

But you read about him quite a lot and most of it is bad.
You see him in police custody on TV. Bloody sad.
He stands out from the others, not just a face in the crowd.
He’s descended from a race of people, brave and strong and proud.

He came naked into the world– the same world that we share.
He’ll die the same as we will, leave behind all earthly care.
Whilst here, we leave a footprint. Hopefully it's good - not bad,
we all make our own choices but is the same menu had?

The paths we walk may differ, for our country is diverse
but aren’t we all Australians? Don’t we tread the same earth?
So why is it I perceive different opportunities
for the folks in the big cities versus bush communities?

Oh there’s others that look like him, but they’re different not the same
though perhaps they are beneath the skin, that’s another ball game.
What makes the vision different? For it’s clear all don’t agree
but I look, see not a lesser man, but a man just like me.

'The paths we walk may differ, for our country is diverse
but aren’t we all Australians? Don’t we tread the same earth?'

It is interesting to watch children in preschools. Despite cultural and ethnic diversities they play together without a problem until they are taught discrimination and racism. They can teach us a lot about truly being Australian.

Agree Allan - racism is something that is a 'learned response' sadly

a couple of little roughie bit there Maureen where a word seems out of place . I pasted the whole poem and played with them but lost it when I tried to draft it.

The your here seems to interrupt the flow ?

He’s the face you see but don’t see – he is everywhere around.
He might be your closest neighbour or just a face in your town.

The sometimes repeat does the same .

He’s the one you sometimes see in pubs or on your local street.
He may sometimes be on park benches dishevelled or asleep.
And sometimes with his kids you see him in a shopping mall

I thought this was the same also

So why is it I perceive different opportunities
are on offer and yet still we claim to have equality?

I seem to think in performance mode so don't know if it is just me or what ?

The theme is good and so often the case .

Bob

Thanks Bob - I have altered it - I think it is a bit better now - what do you think?

I think it is the opportunities and equality that tends not to roll ?

Bob

OK fixed that as well

A great title for this poem Maureen and a question you capture well in the words of each stanza - why indeed? Racism has always been completely beyond my comprehension.

I concur with Catherine, Allan and Bob - racial prejudice is a sad issue. Your poem addresses it very well, Maureen. We are all members of the human family, and should accord each other the respect of equals. If censure is required, it should be due to a person's behaviour, not race.

What Allan said reminds me of the lyrics of two songs written many years apart - both so true!

From "South Pacific" ...
You've got to be taught before it's too late
before you are six or seven or eight
to hate all the people your relatives hate.
You've got to be carefully taught!

From "Pocahontas" ...
You think the only people who are people
are the people who look and talk like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
you'll learn things you never knew you never knew.

Cheers, Shelley

The last verse has been nagging on me Mausie , I know I can not help it.


How about ?

There’s others that look just like him, but they’re different not the same
perhaps they are beneath the skin, that’s just another game.
What makes the vision different? For it’s clear all don’t agree
but I look, see not a lesser man, but a man like you and me.

Bob