The First New Zealand Son Poem by Wayne Falconer

His ancestors arrived with first colonist
hoping to create Eden from Island mist.
When all past present is done
he reflects the first New Zealand son.

He's farmer settler and humble kiwi
whose labour cleared the land free
who grew beef sheared the sheep
exported the first refrigerated meat.

He's the past egalitarian socialist
who raised the labour party fist
who helped shape the welfare state
he praised Seddon at heavens gate.

He's father son of the depression
who never needed priestly confession
he worked for less than one pound pay
laboured hard sunrise to sundown day.

He's surviving soldier who fought war
standing defiant at bloody battle door
scarred by deprivation barbed wire
bullet bomb bayonet and fire.

He's fifties sixties generation son
who knew the good life fun
when equality shone bright for all
helping our nation grow up tall.

He's seventies eighties stage survivor
whose seen economic gap grow wider
watched those who worship greed
beyond any real normal human need.

He's today mature new age infact
awaiting the nineties moral payback
still striving for original high ideals
identifying to you how he feels.

He's the cultivated liberal man
who seeks the higher intellect plan
to end greed hypocritical notoriety
tearing foundation of our society.

He's currently on new millennium roll
optimism is filling depth of soul
believing anew inspiration shall make day
leaving last ritual verse to say.

His future reflects all things past
the dier consequence is long cast
as all faces shine as one
he reflects the first New Zealand son.