Pieces of the World
Mervyn James
They came	unsung,
Hollow stomachs sound and hopelessness
		First migrants to unfriendly shore.
Naught to celebrate	this sorry birth.
	Shackle bite saluted flag
			with contempt for Phillip’s plan
				of truce and fair measure.
In rebellion			
	seeds of future character were sown.
Two centuries	sharing love and grief
	and blood of other lands
			created the Australian caste.
A great mosaic	compassionate.
	Triumphant in endeavour
			and ideal.
A nation	composed
	of many pieces of the world.
Grand now
	in universal eyes.