Australia - The Apy Aborigine Homelands Poem by Paul Warren

Ernabella is on the APY aborigine north-western homelands
Where the indigenous people govern at their own hand
It is based on the old Anglican Mission Settlement Reserve
The Australian Government gave the land they deserve

But when you drive into the settlement outback town
It doesn't look like Australia that you have found
The chapel was burnt down in a riot leaving a shell
And the rest looks like a third world country not doing well
The sports oval is a dust bowl and facilities so poor
Self government in the lands would have promised more

So we are faced with a choice for these people now
To leave them on their land and take them out somehow
And let them live where facilities are better for them
Or do we have the right to make a decision in the end.

© Paul Warren Poetry