ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A real rushed one again

The Deprivation of the Human Soul

Would he ever know true freedom now, and would he find again his pride?
these and other thoughts are swirling like a ship that’s drifting on the tide.
Well, the virtue then of innocence there, hadn’t helped him he could tell,
for the word here of the Gentry was enough to banish him to hell.

As he listened to the wind now screaming through the rigging in the storm,
with the wildest seas assaulting this old ship as each new wave would form.
But at least now if they foundered it may bring a merciful relief,
death could be gift from God, to free them from ten years of penal grief.

And this ship had only ever carried loads of human misery,
just how many lost their lives is hidden in the fog of history.
For their worthy lords and masters back in England cared then not a jot
as their only wish was hopefully to see the last of each new lot.

©T.E. Piggott

So very true, Terry! How often were their spirits and lives broken just for stealing food to feed their starving children?

Unusual to see you make use of the extended longer lines in your poetry - but I thought it mirrored the rolling of the sea (is that what you intended, or am I just being fanciful?)

Love the "wind screaming through the rigging".

Cheers
Shelley

Thanks Shelley

I made a mess of this when I first posted it and had to come back and straighten it out a bit.

You're partly right Shelley it just seemed to fit the mood of the poem to do it this way - or so I imagined.
And where better than in homework to try things out.

Cheers

Terr

As always with your poems, Terry, you can see it, hear it, and feel it as if you're there. Plus in just three stanzas one grasps the full story - well done!

Good one Terry. Totally agree, very concise and says it all.
Mans inhumanity is hard to comprehend at times especially in those harsh days.
The first of our convict ancestors, Mathew Locke, came to Australia on the ‘Surprise’, one of the hell ships of the second fleet in1790. On arrival, over half those who survived had to be carried off as they were too ill to walk.
Enjoyed the read mate.
Ron.

Thanks Catherine

I guess to some extent we all leave a trace of ourselves (or imaginary finger prints) on our poetry.

I notice the same thing with yours and many others as well.

Terry

Thanks Ron

I can already see from the little I've got to know about you,
that your family is steeped in the early history of Australia - something to be proud of mate.

Terry

Thanks Terry, yes very fortunate to have a good bit of history on both sides mate.
Also I think perchance if we ever got to share a brew one day, we would have a fair bit to yarn about.
Ron

I reckon you're spot on Ron

Terry