29-11-09: This little poem was posted in our forum pages by one of our very talented members. It is far too good not to publish this poem on our web pages. We do hope that you enjoy "The Quintessential Australia", it's true blue!   The Quintessential Australian He wore a black Akubra jammed down on his head. Blue jeans, flanno and singlet. Left RM tracks where he tread. His face was tanned and rugged, his eyes were brown and mellow 'twas obvious he'd Asian blood, for his skin it was yellow. We sat a while and rolled a smoke, the billy was on the coals. He threw some tea leaves in the pot, and this story he told. He said he came from Vietnam. Came here in ninety four. To seek peace for the family. Far far away from war. He'd very little family now, he'd lost his Mum and Dad. Two sisters died whilst on the boat..yea it was pretty sad. His Mum it seemed had coloured blood, Americans at war were oft involved with local girls before they left those shores. And seems his dad was English born, but back before they fled, his Dad got sick from too much booze and he alas was dead. I looked this young bloke in the eye and said to him "Well mate it seems you're now an Aussie, how did you integrate? Was it hard to fit in, did you feel ostracized or did you just get on with it and give it your best try?" He said his English wasn't good when to our shores he came and some folks wouldn't talk to him they couldn't say his name. They thought the food he ate was strange though these days no one did and since he'd been here he had wed and now he had two kids. His lady was a local lass, taught at the local school They'd saved and bought a property not too far from Thangool. Her Mum was Aboriginal and her father was a Scot. His own two kids were Aussies. Yes he loved this place a lot. He thought that he was lucky, for at least he was employed. and working on a property was work that he enjoyed. His name was Thamn he told me but he was known as Tom. He stood and offered me his hand. It was time to move on. I thanked him for the chance to yarn, and thanked him for the brew and wished him well in all he did, and then I too shot through. But as I traveled down the track a thought occurred to me. That here's two Aussies who are both as different as can be. And that I think is just the thing that now defines this nation For people of the world now blend. To make the new Australian.    Mahalia mc © --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to: HOME          Back to: SirLafalot