thanks for telling me
how to say hi and welcome
in Bundjalung
on my birthday



jingi walla



I kept it warm 
in my mouth 
all week



jingi walla



it was the only thing



that I could say
with all the killing
and the wanting to die



what should we eat?
let’s go to the supermarket, then the park
let’s cook dinner and watch a movie
let’s got to the pickets and the rallies



did you see my queen on the kayak
stopping the boat?



did you hear our queen speak of love
of the love of the Yemeni houthis 
stealing ships from the red sea?



did you see the bodies in the graves
wrapped in blue plastic?






what should we talk about?
let’s talk about Palestine



let’s talk about 
our bodies and our clothes
our work and our homes



let’s keep teaching
let’s keep learning 
how to say



hello