~ Written with deep thanks and respect for the Elders, families and land that generously held me as I grew on Aṉangu | Pitjantjatjara |

Yankunytjatjara | Alyawarre | Arrernte Country.
Claustrophobic without the coast

I worry that desert Country

far from salt and sea might landlock me
but she opens with
                                                             v                                                             a                                       s                                t
plains

and vocal cords

like winter

  o       
  w      
fl            er
she sings–

Aṉangu | Pitjantjatjara | Yankunytjatjara | Alyawarre | Arrernte
                                                                                                                                                                 gifts me

                                                                                                                                                the word I need

                                                                                                                                                                   kapi
teaches me to

              g.a.t.h.e.r. bush

              food

                    in sand ..d:u*n:e..

              with her bubbies
tells stories in ochre and earth

akin to ours
                                                                                                                          c

                                                                                                                             r      e

                                                                                                                                a      t

                                                                                                                                       i    o    n

                                                                                                                                     s       e

                                                                                                                                        r        p

                                                                                                                                         e

                                                                                                                                                      n

                                                                                                                                                          t

 

(       flies like an eagle

    –    eagle

              |

        hunting

          on-

                      updraft       )
fights

for the same rights

[-o-]
looks at me like my Old People do

             over campfire

                        coals cooking roo

                                   through

                          sips of tea

                               sweet and blak 
                                             from

                                                panni

                                                kin
She asks

when you coming back again?

I promise
soon
Good she says
Bring your Mum too.