The mining billionaires
cheer... more coal more gold
and best of all minimal tax
The deed is done , we have won
Kevin Rudd is duly dumped
knifed square in the back
We run this country don't you know
Buy the media- Do it quick
In the middle of the night
a very old trick
Knock Knock
Who's there ?
Gotcha! Poof.. a bloodless coup!
Might have a problem
Some might think they are still living in Russia
Some might have refugee nightmares again
Some might remember unAustralian words like
Chile ,Pinochet, Pol Pot, Stalin , Hitler
Some might begin to ask if this really is 'the lucky country'
Some might suspect that 'lucky' applies to those who can
afford to leave for six months of the year
Some might click
that Australia is run by thugs and anti- intellectuals
whose descent from the treetops and walking upright is only relatively recent
Some might click
that this is a dangerous place for the bookish with humanitarian concepts and principles
So Mates...Carpe Diem
Let's grab a beer, scratch each others arses and board the private jet
Let's Sing Advance Australia Fair Dinkum and give ourselves
Three Cheers!
Good poem, Rall. But, the political classes are the same everywhere as soon as the scent of failure hits their nostrils - dump the leader while there's still time. They don't seem to worry about the democratic principles. And whether it's big business or unions, someone's always in hock!
ReplyDeleteNot quite the same thing. This situation could not occur to an elected Prime Minister or President in either Britain or USA. Only in dictatorships.Even the leader of the opposition decried this act. Quite frankly I am ashamed of being an Australian now. I am coming over to live with you!
ReplyDeleteRall
ReplyDeleteAnd boy don't they scratch each other's asses.
Good poem!Politics are just a bunch of BS! Even our illustrious president Obama has his faults.He has essentially been able to take the focus off of his lack of commitment about the oil spill by throwing that warmongering general out of Afghanistan (he had almost an 80% increase in civilian deaths under his command)
Sorry to hear about this happening in your country.
He knows who his real mates are - the ones who stab in in the front... not these thieves in the night.
ReplyDeleteI wont be drinking to the new regime, she/they can scratch their own arses.
Great expression of your feelings.
A heartfelt diatribe, very well expressed. I've no idea what it's about, as I've missed any news in the last couple of days, as I have visitors - but it certainly reflects my views of politics and politicians.
ReplyDeleteViV
Rall, I sent a link to your blog to another Austealian I write to who told me they were going to move to Antarctica as they don't HAVE Prime Ministers there! I will have to read up on the situation, I think, but many are OBVIOUSLY unhappy! Your poem was a good one. I am way behind this week and haven't written yet, but am reading some and praying for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteToo Cold in Antartica Mary...
ReplyDeleteas the cops in crime shows generally mumble at the victim's bereaved:
ReplyDeletei'm-sorry-for-your-loss-m'aam
Thanks Barbara...do you think I could be happy in Tennessee?
ReplyDeleteour pols are just as bad. and we don't have beaches. but, hell, we are friendly.
ReplyDeleteYour fury is evident, Rallentanda. I'm especially moved by the list of "unAustralian" words...
ReplyDeleteI agree - too cold in Antarctica, Rall. I finally was able to write something too!
ReplyDeletehttp://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-page-news.html
And I hope to participate in your WOW sometime soon when I get my act together too, as I love your challenges!
corruption spans the globe, for sure.
ReplyDeleteOh Rall, this is happening everywhere...the US is in a huge and ugly mess, divided cleanly down the middle into two polarized opposite ideals. So sad for us all...(good poem, though!)
ReplyDeleteI like what you did with the prompt. You are always welcome in Missouri...
ReplyDeleteOh, what an ugly mess. Go ahead and have a beer, even if it's non-alcohalic,LOL.
ReplyDeleteRallentanda, Fury well focused becomes you. This piece says what you need to say. As a human, I am proud of any voice that speaks out against injustice. You go, girl! We got our anti-intellectuals out of office here in US, but still have problems.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is brave. Thank you
Standing up, speaking out, really good post.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Your kind comments have all been supportive and heartening.Thank you for making me feel a little better. I was going to say I wish you were all here but I honestly think you are better off where you are.
ReplyDelete' Man does not live by bread alone. '
They do here!
Agreed with Brenda W. The fury is evident and well-channeled into these words. I do not know what is going on in Australia but your words certainly betray enough for me to understand.
ReplyDelete-Nicole
What are we to do? Your flaming words tell so well the march - downward bound. My frustration is out of hand and I am pleased to read your words if only because I feel, somehow, less alienated and alone. Excellent piece.
ReplyDeleteI shall need to catch up with what's happened, but why are we ever surprised by anything that happens in politics?
ReplyDeleteTumblewords, you have paid me the highest compliment.It gives me a reason to keep on writing poetry. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to admit I don't understand most of what you have written here, Rall, but it's evident you feel strongly about what's happened! Love the way you have gotten your feelings out in the open!
ReplyDeleteYour political fury is palpable. I'll have to refer to this poem whenever my political rage is riled up here in the states. I fear the thugs and anti-intellectuals are going to overturn things here in the states as well.
ReplyDeleteThe poetry course I'm on this week is taken by Aussie poet Katherine Gallagher, and another of the workshoppees is also from there, so they've been able to fill me in a bit on what's been happening.
ReplyDeleteI wrote this Haiku for you:
corridors of power
no place for the faint-hearted
better avoided
Sorry, I won't have time this week to write to your prompt. KG's course plus my very best friend is not likely to last the week and I want to be with her.
Thank you for your haiku Vivienne. I hope you are learning a lot in your workshop. Perhaps you could write about your experience and put in on your blog . I know a lot of us would be interested. So sorry to hear about your best friend.I hope you find some comfort in releasing your emotion through poetry.
ReplyDelete