Terra Nullius

Terra Nullius

 

Tens of Thousands of Years

 

one country

one land

one people

 

One Hundred Years

 

pioneers

loggers

buildings

cities

rent,

petrol

gas

electricity

cars

goldmines

 

an island

a country

ruined

 

destroyed

raped and left

for dead

 

One Hundred Years

 

rampant consumerism

white is right

the mindless acquiring of wealth

 

Our First World Paradise

 

pesticides

insecticides

oil refineries

coal stations

soil salinity

blue green algae

freeways

housing estates

asylums

institutions

 

hum hum hum

 

the bee’s

turn blue and green,

grow seven wings

eleven eyes

 

mutant honey-makers

 

from fire makers, dream brothers,

family and a sacred land

 

loved with each hand

of each generation

 

Tens of Thousands of Years

 

here, right here

 

One Hundred Years

Only One Hundred Years

 

what have we left you?

WHAT HAVE WE LEFT YOU?

 

plastic bottles

plastic bags

choking the Merri

 

 

trickles

where once was rushing

the Snowy

 

Ancient moonlight, ghost gums

cleared with no thought

no thought

of tomorrows loves                        needs                        wants

 

 

Bee Williamson

25/5/07