Friday, September 25, 2020

On Henry Lawson's "The Shame Of Going Back"

 Henry Lawson's Memorable poem 'The Shame Of Going Back' as relevant as it was to then to today does remain
A poem that you once read that you will read again
a poem written by one who himself had been in Earthly Hell
Who of life's tougher side had many stories to tell

Going back to your hometown among the people you know
Without any money for your time away and your travels to show
Mentally the hardest thing in life that you have had to do
For your lack of money as a person they think less of you

Though feeling a loser and financially down
It was homesickness brought you back to your hometown
Much poorer now than before you did migrate
To be of the materially successful in life not your fate

When you cannot afford to go for a beer in your favourite local pub
And cannot pay for a membership of the town's football club
And friends of the past you would rather not meet
Hard to walk with your head held high on the street

Since of the influence of money they know you do lack
Your former friends feel no dessire to welcome you back
They have climbed further than you on the ladder of material success
And in your lack of money them you do not impress

Though long deceased Henry Lawson in Australia remains a great literary name
Of going home with empty pockets he knew of the shame
At least in his writing to himself he was true
He was a great poet and story teller for to give him his due.

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