The Stolen Generation

Someone
Turns out the last light
A Blackout
And
A dormitory full of black kids sigh

Unknowing

Waiting for parents to return
A shallow promise from government guardians
If you sleep

A white education waits
If you wake
And
Forgive

The theft of your black soul
And
The destruction of your family

51 thoughts on “The Stolen Generation”

  2. Dear Paolo (Paul)
    I have really benefited from reading your poems.
    I’d like to put this poem together with “Reconciliation” and “Black Land Whiteman’s Land” on the blogspot of our group. We meet weekly to encourage one another and explore issues as well as have a meal together. Our Blogspot has very restricted access – for members only (there are 10 adult and 2 children). I wanted to read the 3 poems at today’s meeting but we ran out of time – we talk a lot!!!
    Regards
    Clive

  3. Hi, i need the authors of these poems for an assignment:
    ‘A question of colour’
    ‘Kakadu Wrath’
    ‘The Stolen Generation’
    This is for an assignment next week!
    Please help if you can
    Thankyou,
    Chantel

  4. Dear Paulo,

    I teach Year 9 Australian History at MLC. We are about to teach the girls about the stolen generation. I would love to be able to direct them to your poem.

    Could I please request permission for Year 9 students at MLC to study your poem?

    I look forward to hearing from you.

  7. hi, this has been posted before, but i was wondering the name of the author, as i need it for an HSC assignment.
    thankyou

  8. Dear Paul, your not Aboriginal, are you? if you are, i can use you’re poems, because my assignment states the text or picture must be made by an Aboriginal person.
    Thanks Henry

  10. Hi
    I would like to use you poem for a school assignment, Im just wondering if that would be okay.

  13. Hello Mr. Buttigieg,
    i would like to use this poem as a source for my history assignment if that is okay with you ?

  17. hi, i was wondering who is the author of the poem ‘The Stolen Generation’ and do you have any additional information about the poem for a speech i have to do?

    thanks

  18. Dear Paolo,

    This poem fits perfectly into my english essay on The Stolen Generation. Could I please request the name of the poet?

    Thanks

  19. Why the hell wouldn’t you put the author’s name at the bottom of the poem?? How are we supposed to know/reference??

  22. People, it says
    “You?re currently reading ?The Stolen Generation?
    WRITTEN and Published by Paul Buttigieg”…

    Wonderful poem, by the way.

  23. i love this poem, and i’d like your permission to use this in my English assignment? If you could get back to me as soon as possible I’d greatly appreciate it.
    Thanks,

  24. hi
    im learning about the Aboriginal dreaming and the poems
    how does this poem relate to the aboriginal dreaming and the dispossessions.

    can you please answer my question

    thank you

  27. For everyone wanting the author, it says in the box on the left of the poem.

    You?re currently reading
    ?The Stolen Generation?
    Written and Published by Paul Buttigieg

  28. could i please use this poem in my sose assignment and could you please tell me the name of the author.

    Thank you

  29. hey.. i was wondering if i could use this poem for an english assignment i have to do on the stolen generation? it fits perfectly as i am doing a diary of a stolen aboriginal child. Thanks!! xo

  30. hello,
    i really need some-one to answer these Questions:
    1.Whats the main issueideas are in this text?
    2.What Perspectives are shown in this text?
    3.How the composer showed his ideas and perspectives?
    4.How dose this text link to the stolen generation?

  32. Thankyou Paul~ I am greatly inspired by your poem, I think that it is so well written that I’m going to use it in my school assignment ! (:
    I’ll credit you still, don’t worry!

  33. HELLO, I NEED HELP WITH KNOWING WHAT IS THE POEM ABOUT, WHAT IS THE THEME, WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONS, WHAT IS IT FORM, WHAT STYLE OF TE POEM AND WHAT IS THE POETIC TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN USED. THANKS SO MUCH 🙂

  34. This is an extremely personal and emotional account of the stolen generation and it’s effects. I am doing a university assignment on the Stolen generations and would like to include this piece with my presentation if you don’t mind.

  35. I think this poem really reflects the hardships endured by children of the Stolen Generation. With your permission I would like to use this with my class. Thank you.

  36. heyy, i really love this poem. It speaks the truth about what it would’ve been like. Not only this but i could feel it through th words. I feel the emotion. Sorry to be a pain but do you think i can use this as an example for my essay.

  37. Can i please use your poem for an assignment please. 😀
    It will be really great help. Thanks
    Lana

  38. yeh this poem is perfect for an assignment based on the stolen generation.
    could you please post the author of the poem and when it was writtin if possible 🙂
    thanks in advancee.

  39. Hi, my name is Lesina and this poem really tells a story i was just wondering with your permission that I`d use it for my history assigment on the “Stolen Generation”

    Kind regards .
    Lesina Leavai

  41. i feel sorry for the indigenous Australians for the stolen generation of the kids and their families

  42. Hi! I loved your poetry and would like to use it for my assignment at school. Would I be able to have permission to use it?

    Many thanks
    Kristen

  44. same with me, can i use it for a english asginment. plz. and may Talos an the eight divines watch over you.

  47. Dear Mr Buttigieg,
    I am wondering may I use your poem for English Studies, because I have always interested in “The Stolen Generation”
    Please reply soon
    Kind Regards
    Katie

  49. Hi, I have a modern history assignment on the stolen generation and I was wondering if I could have permisson to recite your poem please?
    Thanks, Rae.

Comments are closed.