THE END OF HAROLD HOLT

A humorous poem about the disappearance of the Australian PM Harold Holt in 1967

THE END OF HAROLD HOLT

By R. A. Merritt

On December Seventeenth, Nineteen sixty-seven

The Prime Minister of Australia perhaps he went to heaven

He went swimming in the Pacific Ocean against his friends advice

They told him not to do it, they told him more than twice

But he insisted on doing it, it summer that time of year

And he was a stronger swimmer and a man of little fear

But he never came back you know they never saw him again

And many rumors surrounded the man's final swim 

Some thought he was kidnapped by the Chinese Reds

Some said it was suicide that the man was dead 

Some thought the sharks had gotten him that the man was just a dolt

But regardless what the truth of it was it was the end of Harold Holt

Author's Note

I was 18 years old when this happened and well remember that it caused some panic in Australia and numerous nurse sharks who don't actually attack humans were killed. No decision as to Holt's fate was never really verified, at least not that I have ever found out.

Reviews

[Cody Williams]

An interesting insight to a historical tragedy. Thanks for sharing it R. A.! I might have to look into this a little bit more. It intrigues me.

-CW

[R. A. Merritt]

Thanks Cody, check out the story, it is one of the great mysteries of people missing and never seen or heard from again like Judge Crater.

[Cody Williams]

Okay, I'll be sure to do that!