Poems
I Got 'Lations'
A poem by John M Wenitong, Queensland
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Every where I go don't matter if it's rain or snow In every town that passing by I never have to wonder why I always got a place to stay don't matter it bin night or day I can always grab a bit of floor and never no-one shows the door Some mates I know say I can be a boor that can make my spirit raw But my lations always take me in and they say not to would be sin So if you see me coming to knock your door You can be sure I'm just rest needy and probly kin They all say hey bros what-cha doing where-ya going Where-ya bin do you know Aunty Esther Uncle Ivan they're my kin So you're Mum's related to my little brother's din Which way now and how's your Mudda and how the hell ya bin All over Auss and the rest of the world dem lations have traversed So proud and black and brown they are and that's not the worst They nice and not and tall and fair and fat and thick and thin But they always usually say g'day country and then they ask me in They'll meet you and greet you and give you bed No matter in Auss where you find your head There's always room to rest said head On floor on carpet a car or shed and even in a double bed I also meet my lations down at the local railway stations In shopping fairs and barber chairs and pubs and food to go They're everywhere I go ya know And they always want to Joe ya know Come sit rest them bones my cuz lets have a little chat Can you tell me bout my sis and where that lost cous is at And who's bin doin what to whom heard uncle got that gout Who got fat who's in jail who got God and who is getting out Thus I never have had to worry about A place to rest or be found without Such love in action word and deed My lations fill some innate human need I wouldn't give them up for quids you know This family tree so patient long and true it flows Ages of family proud and black stretch back on into time All the way back through yesteryear right up to me and mine
Thanks John for sending me this poem!
Homework: Reflect on the poem
- What are John's "lations"?
- Make a list of the words unknown to you and find out what they mean! Where do they come from?
- Which aspects of Aboriginal life reflects John's poem?