Where are you?
A Mother's Lament.37 total reviews
Comment from AlvinTEthington
Yes, I know about this. It's very sad and unlike so many Australians I know today. When the Jews were looking for a place to go to escape the anti-Semitism of Hitler, I believe one Australian publicly said, "Australia doesn't have a racial problem and doesn't want one." Obviously that is not the Australia of today. However, you do indicate the tension between white Australians and Aboriginals. Janilou, who is half Australian, has written about this. She has great insight into it. Thank you for showing your reader this tension.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2010
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Yes, I know about this. It's very sad and unlike so many Australians I know today. When the Jews were looking for a place to go to escape the anti-Semitism of Hitler, I believe one Australian publicly said, "Australia doesn't have a racial problem and doesn't want one." Obviously that is not the Australia of today. However, you do indicate the tension between white Australians and Aboriginals. Janilou, who is half Australian, has written about this. She has great insight into it. Thank you for showing your reader this tension.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2010
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You are welcome, Al. Yes, we like to think there is no recism, but unfortunately, there will always be those who seem to have hatred or ignorance, for whatever reason. When we moved to Australia, we were accepted as part of the 'White Australian Policy' where only whites could migrate. This didn't stop until well into the sixties. We are now a multi-cultural society, but still far from perfect and equal. Aborigines are often still second class citizens, expected to confirm to 'white' cultures.
Warmest regards, my friend. Marijke
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Yes, this poem was biting social commentary. I quite liked it.
Comment from sweetwoodjax
this is very well written with good form, good flow, good meter, a beautiful poem about a dark and desolate subject, the ignorance at those times were horrible. great job and i'm sorry you didn't get to enter the contest
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2010
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this is very well written with good form, good flow, good meter, a beautiful poem about a dark and desolate subject, the ignorance at those times were horrible. great job and i'm sorry you didn't get to enter the contest
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2010
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That's okay, as long as I could still post it, my friend. Thank you for your lovely review and generous rating. Warmest regards. Marijke
Comment from missy98writer
Marijke,
Wow, what a gut wrenching theme you used. I can't believe in this day and age racism is still exists. I'm appalled. I'm for one am embarrassed of America's past to have allowed slavery and all the crap back in the 60's. Thank God for Martin Luther King Jr and the movement to stop the horrible treatment of a person due to race. This subject is close to my heart because my nephew, Brandon, who I raise, is biracial. His father is African American. I'm appalled of the way he was treated in kindergarten so my parents, me and his mother when she was alive pooled our money so he could go to a private church school- my father used to teach with her and she allowed us in at $200 dollars a month for nine months. It's worth it because the school embraces equality and teaches it. The lines that stood out for me in your poem:
They wrenched you from my arms.
They took you because I am a coloured woman.
White men think I cannot be a good mother.
They say you need a home,
where you will learn their white cultures.
Freaking awesome poem you've penned. It's a shame you forgot to enter the loneness contest, my friend. Stellar writing. I'm very impressed. . .Melissa.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Marijke,
Wow, what a gut wrenching theme you used. I can't believe in this day and age racism is still exists. I'm appalled. I'm for one am embarrassed of America's past to have allowed slavery and all the crap back in the 60's. Thank God for Martin Luther King Jr and the movement to stop the horrible treatment of a person due to race. This subject is close to my heart because my nephew, Brandon, who I raise, is biracial. His father is African American. I'm appalled of the way he was treated in kindergarten so my parents, me and his mother when she was alive pooled our money so he could go to a private church school- my father used to teach with her and she allowed us in at $200 dollars a month for nine months. It's worth it because the school embraces equality and teaches it. The lines that stood out for me in your poem:
They wrenched you from my arms.
They took you because I am a coloured woman.
White men think I cannot be a good mother.
They say you need a home,
where you will learn their white cultures.
Freaking awesome poem you've penned. It's a shame you forgot to enter the loneness contest, my friend. Stellar writing. I'm very impressed. . .Melissa.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Thank you, Melissa, not only for your review, but for being a caring human being, who knows racism is wrong, in all shapes and sizes. Thank God this does not happen anymore, but the effects are still felt by those who suffered. No records were kept as to where the children ended up, so many still have never found their families.
Thank you for your compliment 'Freaking awesome'! Love it.
Warmest regards, my friend, Marijke
Comment from Kentucky Sweet Pea
Wow, Mari,
This is so touching and sad and so well-written! You have tears brimming in my eyes thinking of the truths of how our white world has continually stolen so many innocent lives of both children and their parents. We have a black population in this nation that never asked to be chained and brought across an ocean floor to be inducted in slavery for the white man's plantation.
Then there is our indigenous Indian... what atrocities.
If the white man wonders why he is discriminated against and is finally getting his due, it's due to his ancestors. He need look no farther than right here at what you've written.
Great piece, Mari!
Love,
Pen
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Wow, Mari,
This is so touching and sad and so well-written! You have tears brimming in my eyes thinking of the truths of how our white world has continually stolen so many innocent lives of both children and their parents. We have a black population in this nation that never asked to be chained and brought across an ocean floor to be inducted in slavery for the white man's plantation.
Then there is our indigenous Indian... what atrocities.
If the white man wonders why he is discriminated against and is finally getting his due, it's due to his ancestors. He need look no farther than right here at what you've written.
Great piece, Mari!
Love,
Pen
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Thank you Pen. Yes, you are so right. Even now, our aborigines are often not treated as equals. We still expect them to adapt to us. WE TOOK THEIR COUNTRY! Thanks for your compassionate review and your generous rating. Warmest regards, Marijke xxxxx
Comment from Amfunny
Excellent story and poem, my friend. I really liked it. YOu presented it well and your poem is filled with heart wretching emotion. Well done.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Excellent story and poem, my friend. I really liked it. YOu presented it well and your poem is filled with heart wretching emotion. Well done.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Thank you for those comments, and your generous rating, my friend. I am pleased you felt the emotionn.Warmest regards, Marijke
Comment from Soledadpaz
What a horrible story, those poor children ripped from their mother's arms. Your poem reveals those horribly sad emotions those mothers must have felt. I don't think I could have lived if my children were taken from me, just because. Thank you for letting us know this part of human history.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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What a horrible story, those poor children ripped from their mother's arms. Your poem reveals those horribly sad emotions those mothers must have felt. I don't think I could have lived if my children were taken from me, just because. Thank you for letting us know this part of human history.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Hi Soldadpaz, thank you for those comments, and your generous rating, my friend. Warmest regards, Marijke
Comment from Fireshadow
Marijke, wonderfully poignant free verse poem that so vividly portrays the mother's loneliness after her child is torn away from her arms and life. The historical background provides the perfect frame of reference for this atrocious practice. Too bad you were not able to submit it to the contest - it surely would have been a strong contender. The photo is perfect for this piece. Very well done! Amarilllys
P.S. When I decided to submit my entry "Last Goodbye" it was also too late ! So I just posted it.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Marijke, wonderfully poignant free verse poem that so vividly portrays the mother's loneliness after her child is torn away from her arms and life. The historical background provides the perfect frame of reference for this atrocious practice. Too bad you were not able to submit it to the contest - it surely would have been a strong contender. The photo is perfect for this piece. Very well done! Amarilllys
P.S. When I decided to submit my entry "Last Goodbye" it was also too late ! So I just posted it.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Hi Amarillys, thank you for those comments, and your generous six star rating, my friend. Your stars are dedicated to all those who suffered so much. Warmest regards, Marijke
Comment from adewpearl
What a blight in your country's history - my country has its own share of shameful blights - I imagine most do. I'm sorry you didn't get a spot in the contest because this would have been a strong entry - there certainly can be nothing more lonely than a mother's ache for her precious child snatched from her arms. Brooke
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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What a blight in your country's history - my country has its own share of shameful blights - I imagine most do. I'm sorry you didn't get a spot in the contest because this would have been a strong entry - there certainly can be nothing more lonely than a mother's ache for her precious child snatched from her arms. Brooke
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Hi Brooke, thank you for those comments, and your generous rating, my friend. Warmest regards, Marijke
Comment from NJTink
The was a beautiful and wonderful way to share awareness of the heartache many suffered from such a traumatic period in time. Sometimes awareness of any kind can reach any one just in the way you spread it. Great job and good luck on future work.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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The was a beautiful and wonderful way to share awareness of the heartache many suffered from such a traumatic period in time. Sometimes awareness of any kind can reach any one just in the way you spread it. Great job and good luck on future work.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Thank you so much for your very warm comments and your generous review. Warmest regards, Marijke
Comment from almajac
This piece flows well.
The most poignant lines-
My heartbreak is intense.
How can a mother live,
without her flesh and blood?
Where are you, my dear child?
My arms ache to hold you.
My body aches to nourish you.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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This piece flows well.
The most poignant lines-
My heartbreak is intense.
How can a mother live,
without her flesh and blood?
Where are you, my dear child?
My arms ache to hold you.
My body aches to nourish you.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2010
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2010
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Thank you, almajac, for your review and generous rating. Warmest regards, Marijke
