Freedom Day

By Ruperake Petaia

This Day I see On a stage A small group of Big Men, These so called liberators.

Up on a pole The national flag waves, That say of Freedom.

I will hear once more Solemn promises Re-Assurances Of Freedom and Unity Of Prosperity and Satisfaction Of Toleration and Peace.

I see On the Malae A People-misled, With more flags and Fancy uniformed marches And brass band parades.

I see their weary faces Masked with bright-coloured Images of the liberators.

I see them made To sing and dance In the sun’s pain, Lured to Compete for the prize money Of the Big Men.

The people Assume this day Will last forever.

But soon, Too soon, The darkness will return The People to their villages.

And 1 will join them Chanting Their evening rituals In prayers of hope For another today Tomorrow.

And Freedom flies on, Way up on a pole Unreachable.