Frank the Poet

[Stephen Whiteside]

I've posted this before, but it seems to make sense to put it here.


Captain Logan

© Stephen Whiteside 16.04.2012
 
What to make of Captain Logan? Hero? Villain? Who can say?
Dreaded monster? Great explorer? Made his name at Moreton Bay.
Frank the Poet wrote a folk song. Said he was by far the worst.
When they heard that he'd been murdered, convicts cheered as though they'd burst.
 
Tied them fast unto triangles, flogged them to the point of death,
Till their flesh was cut to ribbons, till they fought for ev'ry breath.
Frank the Poet was a convict, frequent victim of the lash.
Heard the rumours. Knew the stories. Could his judgement still be rash?
 
Logan's known as Queensland's founder; sailed the rivers, climbed the mounts.
Sought no profit, shirked no duty. How then, do we, square accounts?
Local natives warned him often. Didn't want him on their ground.
Still he blundered blindly forward. Deadly spear soon he found.
 
Impetuous? Determined? Headstrong? Drove himself, and others too?
Dreaded monster? Great explorer? Who can say which one is true?
As I try to square accounts, too many debits in his bank.
I am with the local natives, and the convicts...and with Frank.
 

[manfredvijars]

Well put Stephen, I'm also inclined to agree. I first thought he may have been maligned like Bligh. But unlike Bligh, Logan appeared to have nothing but contempt for everyone 'below' him.