By decree we stole their birthright.
Little heathens in our christian eyes.
We had to make them white, from the inside.
So we plucked them from their mothers' arms
and farmed them off to christian homes,
and fearsome christian institutions.
Negating sixty thousand years of nurturing
with the stroke of a pen, our benevolence
profoundly misplaced, we dressed the girls
like mammy dolls, the boys in sailor suits.
We taught them of a Jesus Christ, and
wondered why they couldn't understand.
Forgive us our trespasses
and our christian pride.
We-were-wrong!
Money can't compensate
and words sound shallow.
In reconciliation I offer my hand.
I had always hoped that I would live long enough to see the end of racism and divisions of class...but not to be...maybe even if I lived forever...there's something about some of the human species that can't tolerate difference especially when the intolerant may perhaps be the lesser....Coach
I know this one by part and yet it still touches the way it did the first time I read it. A wonderful poem that opens eyes. love, Allie xxxx
This sort of thing has happened through the ages, a sickening act, inconceivable to the civilized mind - yet these were 'civilized' perpetrators hoping to 'civilize' a people -! Power corrupts, in some cases destroys, the ethical mindset. Well said, Jerry.
Oh My God, now this is all new to me! This is an absolute trajedy! The things we learn! I am not familiar with a lot of the Land Down Under, just know that it is probably one of the most beautiful places upon the face of the earth, and to learn this, in your write, well, it upsets my heart. Thank you for this Jerry! Regards, Theo
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Marvellous, absolutly marvellous.......keep it up :)