What’s in a song John (or is it ‘Knuckles’), what’s
in a song about an unemployed, suicidal bum, caught
in the act of sheep theft which defines the Australian
psyche? I’ll bet you don’t know but whatever it is
is good enough for you to decide what is, or is not,
appropriate for a team to do before they face you
on the playing field; whatever it is in ‘Waltzing Matilda’
includes a magic ingredient of self justification, allowing
your flaky, self-righteous pontification on appropriateness.
Perhaps some elements of the haka seem too expressive
for faint hearts (or paying viewers who might complain)
to be allowed before the game. I guess the same
could be said for this song about a sheep thief
which is in equally bad taste – if you don’t appreciate
its implied association. I’ve never complained about it
but I think it sends the wrong message too. About losers.
© I.D. Carswell
(Ivan Donn Carswell)
More Poetry from Ivan Donn Carswell:
Ivan Donn Carswell Poems based on Topics: Death & Dying, Self- Your noble reign (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
- Your Voices Joined Is All It Takes (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
- Gravestone (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
- What does it take? (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
- When I Close My Eyes (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
- When We Were Young (Ivan Donn Carswell Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Death & Dying Poems, Self PoemsBased on Keywords: decide, message, complain, elements, allowed, equally, thief, sends, bet, defines, team