New Guinea

You were so beautiful in peace, So rich in rival colourings, Blessed with abundance which we scarcely guessed And unexploited wealth within your soil.

All those who knew you loved your pebbled paths, The light and shades among your reefs, And palms that stretched their welcome to the shores, The fleet of fireflies darting through the dark, Slow copra boats and whitewashed China-towns, And deep warm-hearted hospitality Lavished on all who came to visit you.

The world has changed. Your solitude Is shattered by the sounds of war; Your brown sons bear our wounded tenderly.

Broken and stricken palm-trees hang their heads And rain is more relentless than the foe.

There is no comfort and no guiding light Within that sodden jungle where they fight, Yet comradeship is there, and some have said When peace returns they will go back.

You shall be lovely then; the primitive Heart of your soil shall heal in time And clothe you once again as you should be, Vivid and perfumed, irresistibly Adorned with crotons and each dazzling hue Of changing contrast on your tropic breast, Fearless, free, framed by Pacific waters.

Ours most precious, won at such great cost, Your names indelibly impressed Upon our memories, revered For all time by the peoples of this land.

Peace be upon your shores again!

Freda Macdonnell.

1334 Pacific Highway, Turramurra, NSW.