Category Archives: Poetry

An ode to the road builders of Sumba

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Clinton Bergsma

As the road dips and weaves, pitching on like the swell I conclude you’re all sea-faring folk Exiled to the interior, the jungle, the mountains Rebuilding your ocean dreams there ___ I creep slowly past your scrapyard machines Resurrected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesia, Poetry | Tagged rural indonesia, sumba | 4 Comments

a wild night at Clancey’s

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Clinton Bergsma

they fought on the road, so I waited, car running, ’til they moved to the sidewalk. I parked they battled, I entered the pub, they moved to the carpark. I saw them next, him standing over her landing fist … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 10 Comments

To the tune of Psalm 88

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Clinton Bergsma

if you can’t contain tsunamis earthquakes or your anger (if that’s what it is) let them pass over the poor and swallow up the pharaohs so I can cling to tasteless crumbs of justice when it seems your grace is … Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesia, Poetry | 4 Comments

Two chapters and a verse

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Clinton Bergsma

Chapter 1: Bergsma, C. 2018. ‘Yelling at God about poverty’ in Where spirituality and justice meet. Edited by Steve Bradbury and Lyn Jackson. Wantirna, VIC: MST &Graceworks Private Ltd. pp 43-64. Available here. This book is a collection of student essays from one … Continue reading →