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The Scent of Their Soul

Once they walked many parts of this land A people tall and tanned They travelled along lines of song Together banded by brother and sister strong Their language bares the scent of their soul In rock art lining walls of ancient water holes It speaks through spirits of ancestor’s old Fragrant of Country so olden, before even dreamtime stories told A soul descendant from Wadjina Bonded inextricably to land and culture The creator of Country, of woman and man It whispers between cathedrals of rock Soulful ghosts - protector of past and present Through their ceremonies The young one’s listen through eye’s bold Watching shadows dance round camp fire told The scent of their soul It lingers in the dust In the ashes In the creeks It reeks of treachery past A colonial collision A mismatch of missions Some stand up and listen Others drown Christened It’s time to give in to worry It’s time to say sorry... 18 Oct 2014

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Thabang Ngoma

Date: 6/12/2015 2:13:00 AM

A very sad past Mark..ignorance meets arrogance and the direconscequences for an innocence of an entire people's demise..it takes bravery to tussle such histories...rgds, Thabang

Kelly Deschler

Date: 10/23/2014 2:27:00 AM

A very powerful write, Mark. The souls of the past are closer than we think. They are all around us to teach lessons and pass down their valuable knowledge, if we would only listen.... I really enjoyed this heartfelt poem. Very nicely done! Congrats on your well deserved win!

Mark Trichet
Date: 10/26/2014 6:07:00 PM

Thanks Kelly, glad you enjoyed it too. The Aust govt in the end did formally apologise to the Aboriginal people. It was a start...

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 10/20/2014 9:48:00 AM

Very beautiful poem Mark and it touched me deeply. I feel it is the best one I read here. Congratulations on your win.

Mark Trichet
Date: 10/26/2014 6:05:00 PM

Thanks Brenda thats very kind of you. Glad you enjoyed it.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 10/19/2014 6:24:00 AM

What an amazing poem, Mark. This is beautiful...and so deserving of winning. I like to fight for the rights of those forgotten too. For me, it is the Armenian Genocide that is...as yet, unrecognized by the US. You have captured the essence og the souls of those natives who were mistreated so long ago. I applaud you.

Mark Trichet
Date: 10/26/2014 6:04:00 PM

Thanks Jade - I will spare a thought for those in Armenia too