Dear Editor – Please publish the following poem as my tribute to RAMSI
On behalf of our families
And all citizens alike
Sincere thank you, RAMSI
For everything you have stood for
As today, we bow low
In honour of all you have done
To take us successfully this far.
Indeed, your fourteen years with us
Has enabled us to fully enjoy and accomplish
A complete sense of
Nationhood
Quietness and order
Peace and Security
Freedom of movement
Much laughter and sharing
Friendship, unity and cooperation
Economic progress and self-advancement
Unconditional love for each other
And the confidence in ourselves
To proceed happily with each other
To maintain what you have established for us
And that above all, we have learned the hard lessons
In poor governance, and lack of foresight
In our selfish pride, and rebellious schemes
In our lack of respect and indifference
Towards one another
And all that is unlawful
As we part from here
Our hope is
We shall strive for the best
Holding fast the good
We ought to do
And the bad we ought to quit
And, quit, must we, for the good of all.
Georgina Buro Pita
Honiara
