Bora born
Spinifex _
Bent, buckled, age driven through his body
desert skin leathered, on a timeless frame.
Beatified by nature, some call him
the healer, summoned to lay down her pain.
His shadow clean, not dimmed by the torment
as tired grainy bones mince end over end.
This giant of a man towers over others
yet, thin as the grass that forsakes his name.
Mid-morning sun belies the real danger
she sits chasing shadows under the tree.
On dapples of light float curves of her body
all others draw back as the old man draws near.
Babuk on the ground she waits in her sickness
dust devils pass by in the warm rising air.
Fresh leaves of the iron bark have come with him
a magic unseen to ease her despair.
Ancient language, formed still hidden, Warlpiri
song, defeat lost thoughts lodged deep in her spine.
The old man sings soft, as he draws them like
poison, cleansing her body as the blessing of wine.
The ritual done he departs in silence
depleted, alone he leaves them in peace.
His totem for now breeds his forgiveness
God and he knows how her pain was released.
In his own mind, time spins on a magnet
future and past bless the start to each day.
Releasing all, he sings to his totem as
hidden ones gather to ease his new pain.
- O -
© feb 2005 _ Nhawrr yirrpa
Author's notes are here.
desert skin leathered, on a timeless frame.
Beatified by nature, some call him
the healer, summoned to lay down her pain.
His shadow clean, not dimmed by the torment
as tired grainy bones mince end over end.
This giant of a man towers over others
yet, thin as the grass that forsakes his name.
Mid-morning sun belies the real danger
she sits chasing shadows under the tree.
On dapples of light float curves of her body
all others draw back as the old man draws near.
Babuk on the ground she waits in her sickness
dust devils pass by in the warm rising air.
Fresh leaves of the iron bark have come with him
a magic unseen to ease her despair.
Ancient language, formed still hidden, Warlpiri
song, defeat lost thoughts lodged deep in her spine.
The old man sings soft, as he draws them like
poison, cleansing her body as the blessing of wine.
The ritual done he departs in silence
depleted, alone he leaves them in peace.
His totem for now breeds his forgiveness
God and he knows how her pain was released.
In his own mind, time spins on a magnet
future and past bless the start to each day.
Releasing all, he sings to his totem as
hidden ones gather to ease his new pain.
- O -
© feb 2005 _ Nhawrr yirrpa
Author's notes are here.
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Spinifex _
Spinifex _
