It is not every day that I attend a habitat restoration workshop and am asked to question my underlying (culturally ingrained) motives. If I am truthful with myself, I acknowledge that I have a tendency to doggedly focus on bending country to my will – my timeframe and ideal of restoration – rather than drawing on the strengths of the land to heal itself with gentle and compassionate assistance. So I wrote a poem about that. Then it turned into a poem about the forthcoming referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution. Nevertheless, whether it be about my novice landcare experiences or about the Voice, I wouldn’t change a word.

I dedicate this poem to the First Peoples of Australia who have put themselves on the line to ask their fellow Australians to support their call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. Many indigenous Australians believe that this is the best way of being heard on issues that affect their lives. (See Uluru Statement From The Heart.) Let’s call it an invitation to a better future.

Listen With Our Hearts
There may never be the perfect time or perfect place.
There may never be a more special time or place
to acknowledge you.
Consider the options.
I rail against your stubborn persistence; your resistance to me and
my well intended or misguided ministrations;
my colonial attitude – bossy and entitled.
Must I fail before I can embrace your song?
I question.
Can I truly love you if I cannot love all your imperfections,
my compassion conditional,
heart filled with suspicion and doubt?  
This is not a battle with self that I can win alone. But I, we, have you –
Your Voice
to heal the gap between us, for the good of constitution and country,
so that we may love all with compassion.
We connect
in quietude, mirth and fury.
Your strength, my strength
when I make a choice.
To see You. To hear You and to listen.
It’s time.

As the old saying goes, “Perfection is the enemy of the good.” If we hear one another, then we can aim for better. At least that is my personal opinion. You may have another. However, I can’t help thinking “if you don’t know, vote no” is just very bad poetry. I’ve included some links below for those who would like more information.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Further information:
Official resources on the Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Uluru Statement From The Heart and the Referendum Council Report
First Nations Voice, Australian Public Law Blog

The following is sourced from voice.gov.au
The Referendum Question –
On referendum day, voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question.
The question on the ballot paper will be:

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

Constitutional Amendment –
The proposed law that Australians are being asked to approve at the referendum would insert the following lines into the Constitution:

“Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”