Poem: "Blood in the Dust"

talithakalago

Ned Kelly was a cattleman, though
Whether good or bad
Is debatable, but all agree
He was a rowdy lad.

They say Ned Kelly punched a farmer
Who claimed that he’d been robbed,
And they let Ned go, but after that,
The coppers had him mobbed.

There were many charges issued, but
Half of them came to naught –
Although some say there were mischiefs for
Which Ned was never caught.

In the end it came to shooting at
The creek called Stringybark.
They may say the truth is made of light,
But for him it was dark.

Still the folk recall Ned Kelly for
The fire in his eye,
And they still sing songs about him so
His fame will never die.

They still say “game as Ned Kelly” when
Somebody will not quit,
For the Aussies love their outlaws well
And cheer the odd misfit.

There’s a lesson to Ned Kelly’s tale,
Remember it you must:
If you pick your victim poorly, there
Will be blood in the dust.

When the law is not for everyone,
The judge’s face is black:
You can only push a man so far
Before he pushes back.