After having just finished my last blog posting about the defunding of the community sector in Queensland, I was unable to get this poem off my mind – so I offer it here. To me it speaks of social action and the commitment and determination that I have seen in so many activists over the years, and that I too aspire to in my own life. For those of you who
have never read any of Alice Walker’s books or poems (she was of course, the author of the wonderful book The Colour Purple) she is a must on any Christmas reading list!
TORTURE – Alice Walker
When they torture your mother
Plant a tree
When they torture your father
Plant a tree
When they torture your brothers and sisters
Plant a tree
Whey they assassinate your leaders and lovers
Plant a tree
Whey they torture you too bad to talk
Plant a tree
When they begin to torture the trees and cut down the forest you have made
Start another