Lionel Certainly Rose



LIONEL (CERTAINLY) ROSE

I've never followed boxing; I think it's a brutal sport,

And I've never given boxers even a passing thought.

But the death of Lionel Rose this week, made me meditate

On what are the aspects of a life that make a person great.

The lives of Aborigines are often stressful lives

So it is quite remarkable when one of them arrives

At being a World Champion, from the humblest of beginnings,

And goes on to become a household name, with many, many winnings.

And it's sad to think that, at the time that he became of note,

In some parts of Australia his race didn't have the vote!

But Lionel is best remembered for fighting apartheid's curse,

When he was in need of money and could have just thought of the 'purse'.

Because of his black brothers he refused an invitation

To stage a fight in South Africa, because of the situation.

This was in 1970, and his action opened eyes

To the horrors of inequality, in whatever national guise. 

He's having a State Funeral, and that seems only right.

He was a great Australian. (And just think..... he wasn't White!) 

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A recent shot taken on holiday

REFLECTING ON CHANGE

On a recent visit to Cape Town

We went to the beach.

The sea there

Is icy cold all year,

Whatever the weather.

It is not until the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean

That it becomes benign

We left Africa

Nearly forty years ago.

At that time,

The Africans were not allowed on

White Beaches!

Since then,

Times have changed.

These pools have been built

For all.

I reflected

On the pleasant sight

Of young brown bodies

Enjoying the water.

Not all change is for the worse!

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Signs outside toilets in Apartheid years.

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