Bill thanks -got that feeling of being uneasy embarrassed wanting and
watching others
P
-----Original Message-----
From: Poetryetc: poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Bill Wootton
Sent: 30 July 2013 23:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Say it loud and say it clear
Say it loud and say it clear
'Refugees are welcome here!'
My contributory voice was neither loud
nor particularly clear, more desultory
if I'm honest, even if I was there pounding
the streets of Melbourne to join with those
who feel outraged by what is being
proclaimed in our names about seekers
arriving by boat. The so-called New
Guinea Solution. Refugees will no longer be
settled in Australia even if found to be genuine.
Maybe it is the idea of 'led' chanting,
maybe I'm uncomfortable with opening
my mouth full wide in public; unwilling
to be so publicly vociferous.
Yet it hasn't ever bothered me
at the football, where I roar
for the Magpies, lambast
physical shirkers on the field
and cheer accuracy and effort.
So why the political recalcitrance?
One neat-bearded marcher, lithe
of limb, never broke stride as he
exhorted us all to Say It Loud And
Say It Clear in perfectly enunciated
tones so it sounded like a fresh call
each time and not a mindless
chant. No hint of sing-song.
An honest urging to vocalise
and to be sure about it, so all on-
lookers would know. From where,
I muse, does that, all that
clear-eyed assurance spring?
bw
30.7.13
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