Kate O’Neil
Miss Bea Miles Occupation: Rebel*
I’d always known ‘Authority’ was crooked,
that Society needed a wake-up call,
so when I recovered from the fever,
I, ‘true thinker and speaker,’ gave it my all.
It was my dream job: ‘Rebel.’
I could not stand ‘the hypocrisy, lies, pretence,
conventional speech and behaviour
upon which society is based.’
So priggish. So strait-laced.
So I rebelled, as I felt I ought –
I didn’t care what anyone thought.
I wore a ball-gown to ride a man’s bike,
or sometimes shorts or tennis gear,
an army greatcoat when it was cold.
When my father, against my will,
used his male ‘authority’
to have me put away for years –
some clear-thinking journos heard of my plight,
and knowing I was in the right,
argued the case to have me freed.
‘Authority’ being driven by greed –
the lawyers, the judges, the police -
they are the ones that breach the peace.
I felt compelled to speak my mind –
I was rational - I’d been certified ‘sane’.
My arguments were clear and plain.
I spoke the truth when I told the court,
the officer’s report
was seriously lacking in honesty –
I said my bloomers were not exposed -
until the officer removed my blanket.
And, arrested for smoking next to a sign
saying, Gentlemen requested not to smoke,
my gender defence wasn’t merely a joke.
I was better known than the Prime Minister
because, like him, I preferred
to get around the place chauffeured.
I became a legend, choosing to ride free
on taxis and buses – no ticket for me.
I did what I liked. Said what I thought.
Spent a lot of time in Court -
a ratbag, a rascal, the eccentric Bea.
*The Australian Women’s Register