Homework for July - BLACK MARY

[Maureen K Clifford]

Based on the true story of Mary Cockerill one of Australia's female bushrangers - Mary was a Tasmanian Aboriginal woman most likely of the Mouheneener people of Nipalunaa (Hobart).

BLACK MARY - Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet


‘Black Mary’ they called her – she was pretty, young and smart
and seemed from a young age she took bushranging to heart –
along with Michael Howe who was her partner at the time,
down there in Van Diemen’s land – where he’d been sent for crime.

She’d worked for a white family – they gave to her their name
of Cockerill, none asked though if it she wanted to claim.
Mary maintained close ties with her culture and her mob,
and stayed within this family’s home as a part of her job.

At sixteen, young and nubile, she met up with Michael Howe,
a highway robber transported and living nearby now.
A handsome bloke of twenty years – he stole her heart away.
The natural bush skills Mary knew, helped keep the traps at bay.

But as they fled from hot pursuit young Mary lagged behind
and Michael, well he shot her – Was he nasty? Was he kind?
Some claimed he did it to avoid the ultimate price paid -
but Mary was a tad ticked off, bad injured and outraged.

The Government kept Mary on – she’d superb tracking skills.
They gave her clothes and tucker and ministered to her ills.
Whilst Mary still angry at him, finally tracked the sheep
he’d stolen – leading traps to him to colonial justice reap.

He didn’t last for very long out bush and on his own.
He had not one of Mary’s skills – this bloke was from the towns,
Without Mary to lead the way he lasted just one year,
he was cornered in his hut at Shannon River so I hear.

They killed him and they buried him, but first removed his head
as a trophy sent to Hobart, for display …proof he was dead.
Did Mary mourn? There’s none who know. Vengeance was what she sought.
She had been sorely used by him -revenge her train of thought.

Mary received full pardon and she moved to Sydney town
But fell ill with lung infections and the sickness brought her down.
She was just twenty years of age….and in Hobart she died.
Doubtless her own mob mourned for her – but who beside them cried?

[Terry]

G/day Maureen

Great story well told.
They were really hard times back then and of course they lived by far different rules,
what was acceptable then seems pretty gross to us today.
I often wonder how what we call acceptable today, will be viewed in say 150 years-time from now.
I suppose the truth of the matter is that despite wars and horrible things that have happened,
we've learnt very little, there are still horrible things happening.
But at least we can record out thoughts in poetry.

Cheers Terry

[Ron]

Hi Maureen,
Totally agree with Terry there, "Great story well told."
You have put into rhyme an interesting piece of Australian history, and it sounds like the book you mentioned in your other post would have been an interesting read.
We can only just begin to understand what it would have been like to live in those times!
Enjoyed the read, thank you.
Cheers
Ron

[Catherine Lee]

Yes, really good, Maureen. I always enjoy your historic tales in rhyme. I'm sure I would've remembered a lot more had more such stories been written in this way when I was at school!