3WW...Poetry Jam
poor little street sweeper
craved a tippet and a few pence
stole them - got caught
was sentenced to death by hanging
she was 11
waiting in the putrid cell on death row
shuddering at the approach of footsteps
always thinking of the noose and the hangman
she unexpectedly received a reprieve from King George
who was having a rare lucid moment at the time
sentenced to life and transport to Australia
she made a go of it and carried on
in spite of trials and tribulations
had 21 children
has 300 direct descendants
a former Prime Minister being one
lived till a ripe old age (87)
was even buried in a Church
a little London street sweeper
dressed in filthy rags
who should have been swinging
from a noose at 11
became the mother of the early colony
Another chance at life, although with 21 children it couldn't have been easy.
ReplyDeleteHaving 21 children is about the equivalent of having one
DeleteAussie husband:)
Truly an amazing story. One never knows who will have the ability to influence the future! Her influence definitely has carried on in the best possible way!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful illustration of how we are born to live..or to make the most of how we live..you can see something 'big' in her face..it is unflinching..
ReplyDeleteYes I think 'unflinching' is a good word to describe her...great determination and strength in that face.
DeleteBeautifully written, and rather moving...
ReplyDeleteaustralia has such an interesting history....and it is interesting how circumstances turn like that...chance or fate
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with this story. Lots of pretty amazing things about this story--and I am surprised she doesn't have more direct descendants with 21 children!!
ReplyDeleteOnly 7 of her children had children.
DeleteLucky break for Mary Wade ... lucky for an entire family line that might not have ever been were she swinging the noose ... wow!
ReplyDeletewow now that's a history. 21 children the poor dear.
ReplyDeleteIn 1789 the penal colony at Sydney was dying. Enter a boatload of feisty female hookers, thieves and con-artists who gave the colony a kick up the backside (and other sensitive areas). Today we have Australia.
ReplyDelete(Mental note to self: Steer clear of Aussie chicks)
Yes I suppose one would feel defensive about a country which used to hang children for misdemeanours!
DeleteMadam, tut, tut.
DeleteI have no loyalty to England. Just passing a personal observation.
history I did not know
ReplyDeleteOH my - 21 children would seem like a punishment all in itself.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. We didn't learn about her in American history. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe can always rely on you to reveal the beauty and success that can emerge from adversity. We may be a lucky country but that has been brought about by the beautiful and multinational mix of our citizens...and hard work.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Thank you oldegg. Very much appreciated.
DeleteThere is a lesson to be learnt in this but is anyone listening?
ReplyDeletePray Cosmo, do tell..you do not have to remind me that no one listens to what I say...I am made constantly aware of that in my real life!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic story! She was a wonder!
ReplyDeleteI SO appreciated your poem and all the history that came with it .. a gift!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen
DeleteThis is fantastic...
ReplyDelete'she was eleven'
ReplyDelete'who was having a rare lucid moment at the time'
I think the magic of this one is in the last stanza lines. The first shocking, the second shockingly funny, the final line summing up what she became. Wonderful.