A LANGUAGE LEARNED

By Author Paul Hughes

On 10 October, 1996, a man walked into a school in Cairns, doused a six-year-old Aboriginal boy in petrol and set him alight. Paul wrote this poem to reflect how that young boy and his family's reaction to this shocking event claimed international praise.

A LANGUAGE LEARNED

Ten weeks before Christmas, from beneath a rock

Crawled a maniacal pariah with a passion for shock.

There was no hidden agenda, no ‘cause’ one could blame,

He just lashed out and took six-year-old Tjandamurra O’Shane.

The fumes of the ethyl his sanity did turn,

He laughed madly as cloth and flesh started to burn.

The shrill screams of agony, of sheer blinding terror,

Could only be conjured up in the evil mind of Hera.

Some children ran in terror with nowhere to hide,

Some wept in fear as the boy pleaded by their side.

But one of the carers of Tjandamurra O’Shane

Used instinct and bare hands to put down the flame.

During the long weeks and months that followed this shame,

A nation struggled for reasons; it was the same at Dunblane.

A young soul stripped bare of its innocence overnight,

Stood with courage and dignity, and began a long fight.

With most of his body scorched beyond recognition,

Countless skin grafts and five months in hospital, bed-ridden;

Few thought he’d survive but, determined to succeed,

“I am me! I am unique! I am beautiful!” he decreed.

Throughout the land many parents and children contemplated,

Doubting their survival, had they been dealt the hand he was fated.

The villain was imprisoned for the remainder of his years,

But that could not remove the agony, scars or fears.

Australia is still young in European traditions,

Built on the sweat of many from all the world’s nations;

And into our schools where our future is unfurled,

They struggle to learn languages from all over the world.

English, French, German and Latin are taught,

Japanese and Chinese among those eagerly sought.

But the one sound never found to be promoted so bold

Is our own true native dialect, sixty five thousand years old.

Since that savage affray, all throughout our nation,

Have learned two words of that language, in basic translation.

They know that saying the words "Tjandamurra O’Shane",

They are saying “Brave of Heart”, “Strong of Spirit” – “Victory over Pain”.

A great Australian tradition our Diggers carried with pride,

When faced with adversity, courage was there by their side.

But it’s a tradition that has existed for thousands of generations,

Given by this land to its people before the so-called ‘birth’ of this nation.

Many great souls have given Aboriginals great honour and pride,

In politics, art and music; sports and even handling genocide.

But no name should be so well known, nor carry such fame

As the unusual combination of Tjandamurra O’Shane.

If anything can be done to promote reconciliation,

His family set a high bar as an example for our nation.

Through suffering and pain, they stood together, severely tested,

Centuries of tradition still survived, has never been bested.

No vengeance was sought, just concern that from birth,

That wretched, demented soul had lost contact with Mother Earth.

Surely this honest, free concept of the Meaning of Life

Is a blueprint to solve many of today’s troubles and strife.

It is not for this tragedy that Tjandamurra is now known,

It’s for his purity of spirit, the pride and courage he has shown.

If ever you are heart-broken, or shattered and in pain,

Take inspiration from a young boy named Tjandamurra O’Shane.

© Paul Hughes