half caste

for a mother. for a son.

imagine the young woman in her house.

then the man comes in. stays there.

you come next, child: though not an heir,

but counterfeit, or thereabouts.

 

you grow there, child. in the door way.

on ledges of windows you learn:

a foot inside and one foot out; now turn -

but not turn away.

 

you will be spurious and marginal, child.

your blood runs red. though borderline.

you swim real good in port wine:

‘cause there’s no place else for exile.

 

imagine the young woman in her house.

she sweats and screams at the wall.

you were stolen before you could crawl

for her crime of an unwanted spouse.

 

so you become neither white nor black.

and you idle there, child, blue-grey:

a “creamy”, “coconut” b*****d they say

to your face, aswell as your back.

 

on ledges of windows you learn

two worlds add up to none.

but I am still in this house, my son:

don’t turn away... return

Author's Note

"creamy" and "coconut" are derogatory terms used to insult a person of mixed race.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

I immediately thought of the aboriginals of Australia, and in your comments I see that I was correct, which shows that your expression, though broad enough to describe other situations, such as African slaves in Western nations, or the trials of indigenous in North America, it was detailed enough to make one think of your subject matter. I think anyone who believes there isn't still some discrimination isn't opening their eyes and ears -- perhaps the intensity and overt nature is often not there -- but it still exists. You have expressed this eloquently and with compassion.

[charlie]

Yes, the healing of the souls torn in the "stolen generations" disgrace is still underway and ever critical. Thanks a lot for your reading, Lyn. I appreciate it.

[Dave Brown]

you have poetically exposed difficult issues
My 2-bits worth!!!
To have problems, I feel an unwed mother's child does not have to be of mixed race, and on the surface, a mixed race child (at least in this particular area) is rarely subject to discrimination.
I'm inclined to think that opportunity and parental influence are major factors in any child's evolution, whether that 'parent' is single, same sexed or traditional.
I currently 'grandparent' two mixed race grandsons and they have, so far, been able to benefit from both cultural aspects of their background
Neither career nor marital concerns have yet entered the picture and I may have a heartache waiting there.
But that' just me.
Bravely done contribution

[charlie]

Thanks for your bits worth, Dave. Yes: I see what you say. I agree. This poem came out of the gaping tragedy that is Australia's "stolen generations" - a wilful act of government and church; an injustice very close to my own life.
But yes: children need their parents.

[Lorry]

This piece, in other circumstances, could have been a story of beauty and barriers being broken, but we are so very human and very, very fallible.
We choose to differentiate in everything. They look different, sound different, so we cant like them. Its ridiculous. Kids dont see colour unti
L the grown ups in their life point it out. They are told different eq
Uals wrong and thats how hate is passed on. I really do wish kids were in charge.
I cant imagine how someone in that position must feel, and it would be an insult to pretend otherw
Ise, but one things for sure, your wrds will res
Onate truth and the picture you portray, portrays real lives of real people, who know that look behind all those hate filled eyes.
One final thought... If we hated, bullied and picked on kids because they had different coloured hair, would that be any more senseless than what tone their skin is? Sounds ridiculous, but here we are.
Liked this piece a lot. Sometimes we need reminded how ridiculous we can be.

[charlie]

Thank you, Lorry.