It’s time for mourning,
time for knowing
all that we’ve lost
since his time.
It’s time to remember
that long-gone euphoria,
time to ponder
the brief taste of freedom,
time to farewell
the last of the giants —
it’s his time.
It’s time to be thankful
he once walked among us,
time to praise
the reforms that he gave us,
the peace he enacted,
the pacifists un-prisoned,
not before time.
It’s time to celebrate
affordable health care
truly life-saving,
free Universities
for all who could qualify,
the restoring of land rights —
oh yes, it was time.
It’s time to believe
we must not forget him,
it’s time to recapture
the decency, the caring
of that earlier era,
time to maintain
the rage for our time.
It’s time for morning,
a new day, a sunrise.
Yes we can do it.
Yes, now, it’s time!
31 Poems in 31 Days (Poewar / Writer's Resource Center). Prompt: Start with a negative, turn it to a positive. Also submitted for dVerse Poetics — Good News, Bad News, Your News!
In honour of Gough Whitlam, 1916-2014, former Prime Minister of Australia
He did redefine the country for the better. These times wont be back I'm afraid. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeletePS
And he was the only handsome politician we have ever had.
Agreed! (To all you said.)
DeleteBut we have to bring about better times than the present ones! Unfortunately there's a great lack of giants.
DeleteAgree....pipsqueaks and misogynists are dominating the fray !
DeleteHe certainly made an impact during his time. One used to hear his name mentioned in the news most times then! Wonderful lines Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thank you. Yes, I guess he made an impact in the region, not only nationally.
DeleteYes, he was in power less time than Julia Gillard but his impact was enormous. He was the sort of politician we need again..... one with vision and despite his flaws, we all have them, integrity and courage.
ReplyDeleteYou're not wrong!
DeleteAlas I had not heard of him.. but there are those points when person and opportunities all interact for the best.
ReplyDeleteYes, the timing was right.
DeleteI like the faith that takes one from mourning to a new morning...inspiring lines Rosemary...
ReplyDeleteThanks for noticing that shift! *Smile*
Deletewe have lost many a figurehead or icon from my youth over the last several years....there are certain people that polarize the times....sad to lose them, but part of their legacy can live on in us, if we let it...
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the crucial thing now - not only letting it live on but preventing it being eroded by less iconic figures.
DeleteA fitting tribute to a wise and good leader ~ Some benefits that we enjoy now, free healthcare and Catholic education are due to some of the efforts of our caring leaders ~ His legacy lives on ~
ReplyDeleteIt seems that leaders not so wise and good are doing their best to undo many of those benefits. Another reason it's good to remember the great Gough, and also what things were like here before his reforms.
DeleteA wonderful tribute, Rosemary. It is sad news to hear that such a great man has died; but hopefully what he worked for will live on (or return).
ReplyDeleteWell, he couldn't live forever. He was 98, and his great love, his wife Margaret, had already gone on ahead. But his passing causes us to reflect on that earlier era of so much hope and vitality.
DeleteI had never heard of him but your poem makes me believe that I would have liked this politician. Somehow at present it is very hard to like the ones we have.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, yes.
Deleteeach one of us have a job/responsibility to the world we live in
ReplyDeleteYes. It is fortunate indeed when we get leaders with not only that awareness but the vision of exactly what is needed.
DeleteYou create a nice balance in your piece - I like progression and the positive energy you build on the close.
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute. I really like the repeated use of time in different ways. And the way you end it "a new day, a sunrise" was perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Justin. I was of course partly copying the famous (in Australia) campaign song - see the DVD I posted.
DeleteHe sounds like a fantastic man, and leader. We need one of him in every country!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately they are so rare!
DeleteVery moving poem Rosemary, even for a Philistine like me!? I was in my first year at Uni when Gough came to power, and saw and felt how he so magnificently changed the political landscape away from the let's-just-do-what-we-always-have-done conservative way, to a real vision-based course of action. Alas, Australian politics is now in the grip of conservative ideologues devoid of reason and heart. If I felt Australian I would be ashamed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eddie.
DeleteI feel Australian and I am appalled.
I like the contrast of past and present..with the hope for future..loved the closing lines ...
ReplyDeleteThank you for 'getting' it.
DeleteOh, well said Rosemary! Every detail so beautifully expressed! And a truly inspiring finish. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad if I did justice to the subject.
DeleteA great tribute beautifully penned.
ReplyDelete