Song
by
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal
Life is ours in vain
lacking love, which never
counts the loss or gain.
But remember, ever
love is linked with pain.
Light and sister shade
shape each mortal morrow
seek not to evade
love's companion, sorrow,
and be not dismayed.
Grief is not in vain,
it's for our completeness.
If the fates ordain
love to bring life's sweetness
welcome too its pain.
Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal was born
in North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia,
and desbribed her Aboriginal Noonnuccal
tribe heritage in the autobiographical Stradbroke Dreaming (1970).