Jacqueline Buswell
the felony
A boy of promise, said the convict record
in a rare show of optimism
A boy, and already transported to the colony?
He purloined a leg of lamb, had previous history:
Stole, together with his mate, six loaves of bread
Seven years transportation, age 14
The record continues the customary litany
misconduct, lashes, absconding, gang work
solitary confinement, certificate of freedom
When he married a young lass
both signed with a cross
His wife gave him five children, then left
Two of his boys were wards of the state, one,
found in a most wretched state, the other
sent to a prison boat for stealing a hat
He had two brothers, also transported
The parents in remote Leicestershire
condemned to a half-life
At 81 he died in Darlinghurst gaol
arrested a month earlier
for conduct, idle and disorderly
I see him angry, dishevelled on the street
shouting to the void
what happened to the promise?
Photograph courtesy Justice & Police Museum