Australia Day 2019 Poem by Francis Duggan

For many of the descendants of Australia's first people this not a good day
And one hardly should blame them for feeling this way
Since Cook and his sailors on their shores arrived
Two hundred and thirty one years of foreign occupation they have survived
One hardly can blame them if they do complain
That foreigners and their descendants from their Land stood to gain
In the National flag of Australia the Union Jack on display
But shows nothing of them and their culture which seems sad to say
Years ago Australian politicians on a day to celebrate Australia agreed on a date
A day quite offensive to many first Australians they choose to celebrate
Instead of January the twenty sixth a day that has caused a cultural divide
They could have chosen a day that wouldunite and become a source ofNational Pride
Many of the descendants of Australia's first people will not be celebrating Australia's Day
And one can hardly blame them for feeling this way.