Francis Cooper-Mckenzie | + Follow Poet |
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Many

MANY

many undertook,
many renounced their pasts,
and many came unwilling,
and many more baulked
at the prospects
of what we would consider,
an undertaking of great proportions, 
to a journey;
to this far off place,
this complete unknown.
where some came willing,
where some came to be free
from persecuted and hounded pasts,
while others sought
their fame and fortunes,
in this brand-new land,
in the goldfields,
and on the acreage spread before,
while others were shackled and chained;
and locked away
in cramped compartments and decks,
and many died on the way
as their bodies slid ‘neath uncompromising waves,
and for some their glories awaiting 
to make their marks,
in this far off distant land,
that lays neath
olde southern cross,
and it is with these pioneers
that has made our nation such a remarkable place,
it is this sunburnt country
they came to call home,
and as they now lay
neath the dirt in unkempt graves
in unforgotten boneyards on hills,
and beside olde wooden churches,
and thus I say to you;
take the time out of your day
in going to pay a visit
and pay your respects,
through olde creaky gates,
to these many unforgotten developers
who have made this our nation great,
with their courage
and their fortitude,
in the paving of a way,
that for many today
take for granted
on foundations laid,
when ships under sail
came to anchor in bays
and plant the Union Jack flag,
so many days away in the past,
where many undertook,
many renounced their pasts,
and many came unwilling,
and many more baulked.

Francis Cooper – Mac © 6-Oct-19

Copyright © Francis Cooper-Mckenzie | Year Posted 2020

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