Sorry Day Poem

Sculpture of a grieving mother by artist Silvio Apponyi at Colebrook Reconciliation Park, Eden Hills, Adelaide, South Australia

When I think of Sorry Day I see families torn apart

Children screaming – fear in their eyes

Mothers Weeping – old women wailing in grief.

Their men feel shame,

Unable to save their young.

Brave warriors brought to their knees.

For this was all done while they were at work

A cowardly deed – and much more.

White men on horses – cars in pursuit

The children flee for their very lives.

Babies are placed in rabbit burrows

With blankets and dogs for disguise.

Imagine the horror and sorrow they bore

As the reality steeps deep within

Their children lost forever

Never to see them again.

In vain so many searched and searched

And begged authorities for their return

It is for their own good they all were told

They’ll learn to adopt our ways.

As the years went on and on

Some families couldn’t cope

They drank to ease their pain

And work became even harder

As their health began to wain.

Broken spirits – broken hearts

Unable to heal again.

Are you sorry they say with their bloodshot eyes

Do you feel even a little of our pain?

If you do, what can be done

We can walk together as one

Sit down and talk – winga myamly

Share with us

Let’s start all over again.

And Jesus wept.

Minto – Sorry Day 2002

Sr. Kerry Macdermott oln