We Were What We Chose To Be Could Conceive Poem by Terence George Craddock

I believe upon reflection
that generally those of us
who travelled overseas

did adventure better than those
who remained stayed in New Zealand
yes I know that many who stayed

in New Zealand
did exceptionally well
what I mean is

those that went overseas
were disconnected strangers
sometimes people did not

even know what New Zealand
really was except as a name
so we were judged on our merits

without locialized Westport put down
that exists in some parts of New Zealand
while overseas in distant countries

foreign lands differing cultures
we were free to be ourselves
we could be anything we chose

without expectations
free from constraint
we were free to choose

we were
what we chose to be
could conceive


Copyright © Terence George Craddock