I've been pondering this day...
The ‘Day’
For some – celebrations
BBQs, Gatherings
Ceremonies of belonging
A twinge of guilt – for some
The ‘Day’
For many of our first people
Sadness
Invasion
Mourning
Sorry business
For me - a lot of reflection, so I wrote this:
A song to Country
Black, white
Yin, yang
Light, dark
Happy, sad,
We came to Country
We second people
We ‘discovered ‘this ancient, ‘empty’ land
That was full of its people,
Art, culture, dreamtime
Yes, we came and we brought
Plunder, rape, sickness, death
The stealing of children
The first people
Custodians of Country
They mourn, they weep
But Country remains
It gives, it gives
It keeps on giving
Over time
Forgiving
Or so we hope
Black, white
We all love this place
This Country
Home to first peoples since ancient time
And home to second peoples for a moment in time
Country reaches out
Across time
New becomes old
Old becomes ancient
Time melds it all together
Time has a voice
The voice of Country
Listen, hard, as it speaks to you
To you … yes you
Hear with your heart
With your whole body
And learn love this Country
This land you walk so heavily upon
Tread lightly now
Country sings to us
Reach out
Let heart connect with heart
Let soul speak to soul
Listen …
With every cell in your body
Listen with your feet
With your hands, your eyes
Open your ears through your heart
As Country sings to you
From below and above
From within and without
The song is gentle
But strong
…..care for me ….protect me… love me…..
Listen, this song is deep within you
Listen
Whisper back
I hear you, I love you
I will care for you
And all who step lightly upon you
First people, second people
Country sings them together
Entwines them
Over time, through time
Reaching out, from within.
Finding peace, finding wholeness
Perhaps another day dawns
As Healing day
With love ….. Julie
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