Notion Of A Fledgling Nation, the

It was too small to have been the scene of
such great deeds, yet history said it had been
a defining moment in the land wars. So I
stood on one of the mounds, trying to see
what the defenders would have seen.

They beached their canoes off somewhere
to the left, spread out in warlike array across
the flax bush plain, made their silent way to
the battle ground. They could not be seen
until they breasted a rise 100m away.

The battle raged until the last defender died
and the flag was burned. At least I see it that
way; a romantic view – and the dead were
honoured not desecrated. Why it happened is
as unclear as this anonymous piece of ground

testifies; two sides fought for their rights on a
drear and drizzly day, many died, and in the end
nothing changed. The site remains unsanctified,
even the locals stay away; if you desire to go
you must find it on your own. The images that

came were a revelation; I knew then what
the defenders felt as the battle engaged.
There is no glory in dying defending a sterile
piece of ground against the might of an idea,
the notion of a fledgling nation.
© 15 May 2007, I.D. Carswell