Introduction:
A.D. Hope is an Australian poet. Australian poets write about aborigins (native Australians) and about their identity in their poems. The poem Australia talks about the present condition of Australia.
The present condition of Australia:
Australia was once a land of trees, but today it is full of war and soldiers. The lands are now covered by the military uniforms – green and grey. Its hills are dark and broken like the broken lion statues of Egypt.
People call Australia as an young country. The poet does not agree with them because Australia has a long history. It has its own songs, arts and history. It may look young but it has a long history to tell.
The aborigins are enslaven by the alien countries. The aborigins does not live but they are said to ‘survive’. The five major cities of Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide) are colonised. The aborigins are chased out by the alien rulers. The original citizens are no more given equal rights.
Conclusion:
The poet is hopeful. He ends the poem with a positive note. He says that some prophet would emerge or come from the Australian ground, who would claim freedom and rights to liberate the aborigins and Australian culture from the colonisers.
