Apology Accepted When Poem by Paul Warren

Do you hear what was done
Those years ago under the Australian sun
We came to what we were told
Was an empty land for the bold

Some had no choice as a convicts fall
When their sentence was at the old Bailey's call
Free settlers paid their way here too
Thinking it was all for them to do

So hardships were worked through
Making a life for their family too
But some were pushed aside
Making their lives hard to abide

The Australian Parliament has apologised
For the way First Nations were treated and ostracised
So time marches on with some bridges mended
But it seems the progress isn't good or as fast as intended

So now we go from one issue to the next
Leaving Australians so perplexed
How many times do we need to go through it again
I wonder when will this all find an end?

© Paul Warren Poetry