A Conversation Poem by keith brown

I wasn't born here.
I didn't come in chains.
I didn't fight in great wars or
Discover fertile plains.

I didn't cross the mountains,
nor fell trees for homes of wood.
I didn't search for water or
against tyranny be up stood.

I came here to seek a better life
for kith and kin,
I had to jump small hurdles
before they let me in.

I knew nothing of a history
that was cruel and built on blood.
Only how this great land, was
prone to fire and flood.

How those that came before me
forged a nation on a stand
They called terra nullius
A virtual No man's land

Now history records
that this was not the case,
another ancient nation
had first dibs upon this place,

Two cultures collided
in this land we all call home,
Yet this nation was not built by
those two on there own

We opened up our hearts
we let other cultures in.
Yet, ignored the ancient culture
who fought wars they couldn't win

We have every right to take pride
In what's been achieved in just a double century,
but for the damage that's been done
We must take some responsibility

It's easy to say, well it wasn't me
It's all so long ago
I knew nothing of the massacres
Or of the children's woe

Nor, how a nations culture has been
Burnt and Torn to bits, by the arrival of those
who came in chains aboard the first fleet Ships.

So on this day we celebrate
all that's good about our nation,
Let's afford our first Australians
the hope of repatriation.

Let's celebrate diversity,
turn our back to fear and hate,
and have a conversation
On
Should we change the date!

Keith brown