The World's First Known Concentration Camp Poem by Francis Duggan

The World's first known Concentration Camp not in Europe as many think and say
But from the Australian mainland not very far away
In Port Arthur in Tasmania down by the southern shore
Now a bad memory of a dark human history just that and nothing more.

The inmates of Port Artur had sad stories to tell
Of their harrowing experiences of their time in Earthly Hell
Freedom fighters as well as some petty pilferers who stole to feed their family
These were far from bad people at least not so to me.

The victims of Port Arthur Concentration Camp long beyond suffering and tears
But human inhumanity to humans has been going on for years
Many invested with power over others use their power in a bad way
In the abuse of human rights and that does seem sad to say.

To be the World's first known Concentration Camp is surely not worthy of a toast
Or not something that a patriot would feel proud of for to boast
Those who say the first known one was in Europe have surely got it wrong
To an Island on the Bass Strait the dubious honour does belong.