Francis Duggan Poems

After eleven years as Prime Minister it does seem quite strange
That John Howard the ageing politician is talking of climate change
But this after all is an Election year
And of losing the top job is now his greatest fear.
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Have you ever felt so despondent that in public you choke back the tears
And mentally you feel deflated you haven't felt this way for years
You feel that the World is against you of any hope in your life you despair
Remember there are many like you and people like you are not rare.
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The tiny breeding frogs are singing in the roadside drain
And the magpie he pipes in the wind and the rain
And as shades of darkness roll across the sky
The foxes are barking on the hill nearby
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When fed seed by the well meaning they do become trusting of people
Which in a sense seems a small shame
They perch on heads and eat seeds from hand
And for their own good do become too tame
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Since I've not harmed them in any way of which I'm aware
Of how others look on me why should I much care
If they choose to judge me that's their business not mine
And if they choose to pigeon hole me well that suits me fine.
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In small family groups birds that I often see
They hop on ground near hedge, bush or small tree
The dominant male is dark blue the younger males and females a lightish gray
I've seen them in the Winter sunshine today.
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They marry a local and settle down
And raise their children in their Countrytown
Their sedentary lives they love and do embrace
And in truth I envy them their sense of place.
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Do you live in a community where you feel you do not belong
Where your bond to those who live in close proximity to say the least not strong
You do not attend community meetings and you not many wish to know
And you only get a blank stare when to some you say hello?
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Us humans like all other life forms are born to die
And death is for her and him and for you and for I
The millionaires and the paupers the great and the small
To the scythe of the Reaper one day have to fall
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He doesn't feel his is a superior race
Nor is he not your average patriot though he has a sense of place
He never has travelled far from his Hometown
And he has never yearned for wealth and renown.
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