ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

STAY STRONG- BE PROUD MY COUNTRY … Maureen Clifford ® The #ScribblyBark Poet


The majesty and grandeur of this country can’t be beaten
it can hold its own with anywhere on earth,
my parents chose to make it home for which I’m truly thankful
and I love it with a passion. There’s a dearth
of pride encroaching that mere words cannot explain
though I try for twenty thousand times or more.
I’m saddened by the invasive attitude of resentment
that appears each day. It makes our country poor.

It’s wrong! So very wrong and it saddens me to see it
for it’s like a cancer, spreading through our land.
Australians were always known as laid back, fair and helpful
and always willing to offer a hand
when needed, to the destitute, to those who needed help
we called it 'Anzac spirit' and were proud
but now it seems the wind of change is blowing through our country.
Our compassion’s been lost somewhere in the crowd.

Why do we fear our shadows? When did we learn to hate?
Most everyone has come from somewhere else.
We’ve always had religions totally different in the past
and worshipped openly and without stealth.
We’ve seen our shores before take migrants in from overseas.
I’m one – I know – I shared a camp with many
and every one had come out here seeking a better life
Australia welcomed all and there were plenty.

And everyone came bearing gifts, something that they could share.
It may have been some different food, some unfamiliar fare.
And over time they integrated – became proud Australians
their food now everyday tucker we share.
We need to open up our hearts again, to welcome strangers
who are after all just friends as yet unknown.
My country then will stand united, strong, vibrant, excited
and we’ll be proud of the good things and all call Australia home.

Nice one Maureen and I do agree with the sentiment. I think that we've lost a lot of what could be described as a digger attitude to life. There's less of the "She'll be right mate." Less of the use of Aussie slang that was pointed but with an element of humour. Possibly it has come about as a result of us not being as cut off from the rest of the world as we once were. We are no longer an island and as a result there's been a changing in our culture. Mostly for the good I'd suggest but along with change some things will always be lost.
Wazza

Thank you Wazza for reading and commenting so sensibly. I sometimes feel that I am spitting in the wind so it is nice to know you feel the same way - I refuse to give in to the paranoia that seems to be spreading like wildfire.