Even as we enter the New Year with a sense of uncertainty and doubt, there is an essential need to embrace 2014 in a spirit of renewed hope and optimism. At times words are unable to fully comprehend and appreciate human pain, disappointment, fear, feelings and yearnings.
In the midst of profound hurt, suspicion, differences, animosity and a difficult and contentious past, may the words of this poem encourage, inspire, strengthen and empower us all to wake up to a new day with a song of hope and blessings.
A Song of Hope
Oodgeroo (Kath Walker)
Look up, my people,
The dawn is breaking
The world is waking
To a bright new day
When none defame us
No restriction tame us
Nor colour shame us
Nor sneer dismay.
Now brood no more
On the years behind you
The hope assigned you
Shall the past replace
When a juster justice
Grown wise and stronger
Points the bone no longer
At a darker race.
So long we waited
Bound and frustrated
Till hate be hated
And caste deposed
Now light shall guide us
No goal denied us
And all doors open
That long were closed.
See plain the promise
Dark freedom-lover!
Night's nearly over
And though long the climb
New rights will greet us
New mateship meet us
And joy complete us
In our new Dream Time.
To our fathers' fathers
The pain, the sorrow;
To our children's children
The glad tomorrow.
Oodgeroo (Kath Walker)
Look up, my people,
The dawn is breaking
The world is waking
To a bright new day
When none defame us
No restriction tame us
Nor colour shame us
Nor sneer dismay.
Now brood no more
On the years behind you
The hope assigned you
Shall the past replace
When a juster justice
Grown wise and stronger
Points the bone no longer
At a darker race.
So long we waited
Bound and frustrated
Till hate be hated
And caste deposed
Now light shall guide us
No goal denied us
And all doors open
That long were closed.
See plain the promise
Dark freedom-lover!
Night's nearly over
And though long the climb
New rights will greet us
New mateship meet us
And joy complete us
In our new Dream Time.
To our fathers' fathers
The pain, the sorrow;
To our children's children
The glad tomorrow.
May we all find healing, compassion, grace, forgiveness and the courage to embrace the human spirit in right relationship!
