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White Man Came, Took Everything

They sailed from ports
From Europe's past
To Ancient Civilisations
How long would they last
 
Genoa, Santander
To name just two
Galleons, traders
Who helped who
 
Distant lands 
So far from their home
Indigenous tribes
Whose kings they'd dethrone
 
Aztec and Inca
Civilisations iconic
Along came the white man
Chronic
 
Pillaged for riches
To send back home
To fat bellied monarchs
Whose throne's groaned
 
Indigenous culture
Stripped from their land
Preached new culture
Forced to understand
 
Great civilisations
Of this planets past
With wanton greed
Would never last
 
Civilisations modern
Whose next on the list
New Guinea tribes
White mans twist
 
To look back 
At the carnage thrust
White mans greed
Was their only must
 
For all the lands
Who felt their sting
White man came, took everything

" Inspired by Midnight Oil "

Copyright © James Fraser | Year Posted 2009

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Verlena S. Walker Date: 6/7/2014 9:14:00 PM This is well done James. What does the future holds? Enjoyed... Verlena Login to Reply James Fraser Date: 6/8/2014 10:35:00 AM Thank you Verlena, James :)

Lord R. E. Taylor Date: 6/2/2009 3:09:00 PM It is way to bad that so many cultures were destroyed by expansionism. Beautiful write Login to Reply

Michelle Mac Donald Date: 6/2/2009 11:40:00 AM Wow...you're very inspirational, James. This is holds much truth and wisdom; you are a Prince of tributes and tales. It is a generous act to give something back to the clans and tribes, you do so with reverence and respect. A sad and searching piece. Best to you and yours....Mikki Login to Reply

Christy Hardy Date: 5/30/2009 5:59:00 PM I have Cherokee in my blood line, and I have heard so many stories of how things were. It breaks my heart to know this sort of horror actually happened...My Great Aunt still tells of the stories passed down.....this is an awesome write....always, Christy Login to Reply

Kristy De La Keur Scoville Date: 5/30/2009 5:18:00 PM nicely done and though it is sad that this is our history....... Login to Reply

James Fraser Date: 5/30/2009 4:52:00 AM There is no slur on the modern white race, this poem highlights a nation/s, who went to explore new worlds, and once there because of the mentality of the time decided whats yours is mine, this mentality still survives to this day. As Europe was the most civilized continent at the time? The ethnic majority were white, if they were another color, i would probably have the same concern by them, but i enjoyed your comment. i have yet to write about the Aborigines and the UK's shame>James Login to Reply

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Date: 5/30/2009 4:16:00 AM James, The poem is great! But, being white, I feel hurt a LOT when I'm placed in the same category as the Conquistadors just because I am "white." Diversity comes from character, not skin color.Sometimes hatred comes in a blanket package. We are the here and now. Not greedy criminal exploring expansionist haters. History tells that many men were freed from prision to sail the dangerous seas. Well, evil men did evil things. Today, evil men do evil things. That's not love. Lovingly, Dane Login to Reply James Fraser Date: 6/1/2014 3:12:00 PM 'White man Came Took Everything'

Anna-Marie Docherty Date: 5/30/2009 3:53:00 AM Love this sort of write that teaches a part of history within its words, and usually with lesson to be learned too...Well done, effectively written...Anna-marie. Login to Reply

Christy Hardy Date: 5/29/2009 6:22:00 PM Life is still much this way....sad....always, Christy Login to Reply

Nathan Leccese Date: 5/29/2009 4:19:00 PM Very good write James! It's sad the way this all went down. Nate Login to Reply

Anna Andersen Date: 5/29/2009 2:42:00 PM thank you.. colors was fun. my teacher in 11th grade said i would never be able to write a "good"poem using just colors.-she had nothing to say after she read it :). oh. mom and dad was an extra credit thing for English in 9th grade. and enough about me. i like the new one u put up. u r a very good writer Login to Reply