Politics banished me,
a wild and untamed Irisher,
across the sea to a wild
and untamed land.
Crammed cheek to chin
with my fellow prisoners,
I fought the scurvy,
survived the dysentery,
escaped the cholera,
and was eventually spat out
upon the strange, embryonic shores
of Australia.
Fierce was the land,
but no fiercer than my will to survive.
I joined the war cry of my ancestors
to the hum of the didgeridoo.
Cohorts and coalitionists,
we were a colony of the unconquered in a
country of contradictions..
My name echoes from outback to ocean,
from continent to continent.
History will note my passing.
Author notes
John Boyle O'Reilly - 1868-1869
In a list
A contest entry
- who might you have been in the eighteen hundreds? by Rheea.
2000 points, ended May 25, 11 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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this brings tears to my eyes
it is very refreshing to hear such a poem from an American. It is ful of empathy and understanding.
I like the techniques such as the wonderful alliteration of the last verse. I like the line about the didgeridoo. [My brother plays the didgeridoo].
'cheek to chin' is an effective phrase, and you use vigorous vocabulary in the second verse.
I think this is the best poem I have read from you. The painting adds to the feeling. It has British influence I see; it is a great painting of a great land.
Thank you.
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Wow! You've done a wonderful job in telling this story ... making a historical person come alive and real to us who don't know his story already. Great Job!
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THE world was made when a man was born,
He must taste for himself the forbidden springs;
He can never take warning from old-fashion'd things;
He must fight as a boy, he must drink as a youth,
Of the friend of his soul; he must laugh to scorn
The hints of deceit in a woman's eyes--
They are clear as the wells of Paradise..... you had me looking up his poetry.. the first verse of Experience.. I found to be funny the last almost so. Thank you for the inroduction to a good poet and Very interesting person I loved the story of his life. Can not wait to see who you are. -
I've got to love this one.
My earliest American relatives were Irish and Scotch rebels brought here in the 16 and 17 hundreds, They called it being transported. Dukes, O'Neil, McMillan, McGregor. It must have been a struggle.
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a great retelling of Australian history, a very enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed the 4th stanza with the use of words beginning with the same sound. Well done.
Rory
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Wow! This is really heavy, well penned with a wonderful image of history. I really enjoyed reading it.
Love,
Amera♥
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Interesting
Like the lines of this pc. 'specially the 4th stanza.
Good luck in this contest.
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I had forgotten the history =) lovely write
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