Bora born

Rainbow serpent _ short version

A morning rhythm of rising at dawn
the daily walk brisk and crisp with meaning.
The five mile circuit through his home town Cairns
in a pattern of ritual cleansing.

As he drew ice breath through the open crown
it reminded him of cold spring water.
Drawn by his spirit down through the body
to wash all his thoughts in new splendor.

The walk with intent, the stride long and hard
the in-breath so light, mind freed from thinking.
The belly breath felt as the out-breath flowed
hands swelling with time, rubbish releasing.

He arrived back home relaxed from his walk
light shadows dappled the back verandah.
Frangipani light with a perfumed breeze
the smell of the bush drifting right through him.

Radio on low, a soft background beat
the morning in tune to this quiet rhythm.
The old house at peace, now feeling his mood
to offer a chair for him to sit in.

The squatter chair had belonged to his dad
it prepared now to rest his tired body.
Beckoned he sit with his hot breakfast tea
and book, he must read to himself nightly.

Within some short time esoteric rhyme
would wake the sandman from his long slumber.
As nature spirits from trees in the yard
drew near on the breeze, eyelids now closing.

The open book had closed over his chest
with a message now written on his heart.
A cicada beat of ripening heat
on a summer breeze, building to play its' part.

In heaven it seemed coloured by his dream
and a feeling that he had been flying.
The breath slow and neap, increasing in depth
from the dream scape that was so inviting.

He recalled those lines before he had dozed
and the impression that they were leaving.
Now tilting the book to the open page
with the finger on his heart still writing.

With an easy mind he looked for the line
to continue his relaxed slow reading.
But this puzzled his mind as he soon found
the line each time kept on disappearing.

Now what on earth, was the cause of all this
as he now saw the letters were moving.
Under those waves just as thick as the line
right to left, down the line to obscure it.

Only now would he think to close his eyes
as his mind refilled with this new wonder.
Though as he did, he nearly flipped his lid
with this scene to rivet his attention.

The vision he saw was so crystal clear
the definition intense to behold.
On a velvet background of inky black
so deep he could feel the space within it.

Up from the depths on the right side it moved
to curve to the centre of his vision.
An incredible sight within his mind
a rainbow serpent in all its' splendour.

The patterned scales in a Murri design
the head turned as it moved to the centre.
So sublime this find within his own mind
a rabbit hole to slowly get deeper.

He opened his eyes then closed them again
the vision held, it just wouldn't break up.
So he kept them closed to study this scene
just in case this monitor was turned off.

Five minutes it seemed he studied this dream
then he detected some drift in movement.
The same time again to move to the right
and hold in the corner of his vision.

Then he opened his eyes to morning light
and a wave rippling with constant movement.
In the far right corner of the open eye
to continue for the next ten minutes.

Five years later he left Cairns for the bush
and live in a place of many waters.
Kowanyama on the cape Savannah
an Aboriginal community.

The first friend he made, was now long retired
 from the stock whip and life as a copper.
Wilson, a man from the rainbow snake clan
for the rest of his life now his brother.



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© sep 2004 _ Nhawrr yirrpa  


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Rainbow serpent _ short version

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