

Our wonderful Australia,
Is a wonderful country,
That’s opened its arms,
To diversity.
It’s integrated people,
From afar and near,
Absorbed different cultures,
Given support to those in fear.
And now Australia’s shared,
With Indigenous and white,
And skins of many colours,
Which come together to unite.
Our richness has evolved,
From just food upon our plate,
But to customs, religion, art,
Architecture, and debate.
It is indeed a tapestry,
Of cultures intertwined,
And should be viewed and loved,
Not trampled by mankind.
This is Australia’s story,
And whilst troubles have been seen,
We strive to make it better,
Move forward from what has been.
So, let us all embrace,
Our great diversity,
Which brings us all together,
In this, our ‘sunburnt’ country.
Herald on Australia Day,
So, we can celebrate,
A country which embraces,
And where all can become a ‘mate’.
CHILDHOOD’S END
Once he was a puppy small
As cute as cute could be
Children loved him one and all
As everyone could see.
Soon he grew to adulthood
So helpful to be directed
Guarding as a good dog should
All property as selected.
He grew old and ailing
With childhood left behind
All love and caring paling
By dark cares of adult kind.
Neglected deaf and lame
Strayed on the railway track
Unheard the noisy train
Was death so very black?
The punctual train no outrage
As death disposed so cleanly
Of the inconvenience of age
And incontinence so unseemly.
Guilt caused memories to awake
Returning back to when
Childhood lacked all heartbreak
And caring was easier then.
© Margaret Pearce
Dear Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith,
I’m writing you this letter
because your son’s behaviour
isn’t getting any better.
His writing is untidy and
his spelling is a worry.
He’s often late and consequently,
always in a hurry.
His recent science project
nearly caused a school disaster.
The explosion covered twenty boys
in clouds of ceiling plaster.
He’s been with us for twenty years,
or is it twenty two?
Dear Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith,
just what are we to do?
He’s untidy and he’s silly
and he always acts the fool,
but still the students say he’s
the best teacher in our school.
Meditations
Drifting on a tranquil lake
of mottled hopes and patterned faith.
Feeling peace and tenderness,
amidst your lucid water-ness.
And like a caterpillar nigh,
transforming to a butterfly,
I know there is a part of me
transcending through infinity.
This poem was inspired by the painting Melting Transitions Rise by Sharon Davson.
Alpaca’s On Watch
Al Paca’s family is keen to observe
Farmer Pat’s cat, sitting undisturbed.
A quiet pussycat – without the hissing fit
Doesn’t spook alpacas – sometimes they spit.
She sits on the fence with feline finesse
Unblinking, purring, her name is Tess.
Tess watches too, so nothing’s amiss
On farmer Pat’s farm it is heavenly bliss.
Al Paca hums to keep his family calm
They respond in kind; Tess means no harm.
She sits like a queen, a creature of love
Never blinking an eye, heavens above.
Al Paca is tallest of these lookalike Llamas
He’s the father near the left in lighter pyjamas.
The fur is worth more than a culled herd for meat
Alpacas are lucrative – for fibre hard to beat.
Unlike Llamas which are larger working beasts
They’re not eaten like venison – dearest of feasts.
Alpacas weigh the same as a tasty deer
Yet Alpacas are rarely eaten, have no fear.