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Thylazine: The Australian Journal of Arts, Ethics & Literature                                                                                                                                #10/thyla10k-bs AUSTRALIAN POETS SERIES 10 The Poetry of Brenda Saunders Selected by Coral Hull [Above] Photo of Brenda Saunders by photographer unknown, 2002. I Song Cycle/ Kooloona Cave on the Nullabor Plain I Barramal I Redfern Rap I SYDNEY: Real Estate FOR SALE I Blak-out I Dark Secrets I Song cycle Kooloona Cave on the Nullabor Plain After reading "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost The mighty serpent below the hidden sky. The mighty serpent forges wide great cavities of fire his snaking belly shedding gold beneath the hooded sky. The burnished stone is melted - rolled hot seams of ochre fold his forging breath a scorching line down sacred pathways bold. Beneath the earth his treasures fine each fissure a sparkling vine as 'singing' low the tribesmen creep the golden dust to mine. Vast chambers yield beneath their feet a thousand fingertips will reap the sacred paint to 'sing' and leap as magic 'snake men' dance and weep. Vast chambers yield beneath their feet the sacred paint to sing and leap as magic 'snake men' dance and weep. as magic 'snake men' dance and weep. Barramal - to fetch, to carry, to get, to bring, to give, to take, to hold I learned early to take new tricks clear the hoops one by one dancing to their tune - to sing the land through airless rooms flaying dust motes from mahogony Reined in by godliness I pass an empty smile to waanjins with their tea and cake. *waanjins: white gins (white women), barramal: Wiradjuri language Innargang to my grandmother In the dry heat river gums spread cool and strong under her feet. She sniffs the breeze checks eddies at the far bank on sacred ground. Stone traps lie scattered - a dead sheep's caught in the sand. Guunjis rot where families camped before the 'round-up'. Now she serves the squatter's hand on leases fencing tribal country. Her days stretched in service- nights with white men smelling of grog. Black arms cradle a new fear beneath her swelling apron. At the homestead trays wait for 'smoko' her black boots inside the door. *innargang = girl, guunji = shelter (Wiradjuri language) Redfern Rap She's a black girl           same old scene                      sniffin' with cuz'                                   when the petrol's free Leavin' home               thumbin' a ride                            takin' her life                                     to the nearest town. She's the black chick            noisy in the pub                      dancin' with a gubba                               when the booze sets in. Karaoke               up on stage                  honey-gravel voice                            singin' the pain. She's a sista' girl           beggin' on the street                       drinkin' with goomies                                    in the park. Livin' on The Block           spinnin' in the lane                         blue light - needles                                 cops don' see. She's a black girl           takin' what comes                    bruises don' show                                 on blue-black skin. SYDNEY: Real Estate FOR SALE Bennelong: Vogue      Penthouse suite          Opera House!               corroboree              below. Kirribilli: High Rise      Harbour life         A Must!             shell            middens           testify. Wooloomooloo:      Townhouse          Open plan             Walk to work.             the Gadigal way. Maroubra: Lots      Prime        Virgin Land          A Steal!            ancestors          wailing Coogee: Classic Studio      Close        Sporting fields.            bora rings          sacred        ground. Bondi: Hot spot!      Disco life        One room          To Go!            sea eagle          soaring Tamarama: Cliff- top views      A Must        Inspect.            beware         the great Shark       Dreaming. Blak-out Sista girl    need money    get home to Darwin    Native title case    Big Time    she raps    edgy she raps    edgy Some story            Up in court            on the run            stealing stuff            Could be She's young    black    and livin' in the city.            gimme a dollar            pay the rent    whitey guilt            easy street This is a refuge OK    I say    for women    at risk Rape and violence    you know            'RIGHTS FOR WOMEN'            pinned to the wall a poster            men don't read            'after the rage            he's blotto on the bed            she plays dead' I give her money    refer her on Now I hear    she's working    on the Block            tradin' for cuz            speedy in the fast lane            live for the day            locked in jail            Singin' up country            Dreamin's free *cuz: cousin friend, singin' up country: remembering tribal land Dark Secrets It doesn't have to be tied with ribbon truth can spill out with little hooks of questions. Caught in photos stuffed at the back of a drawer. Families of black people camping in tents - faded to sepia tints. A loving couple one pale, one dark uneasy in a boat on a lake. And the negatives give nothing away. Vanished frames of secret lives pale squares on wallpaper whisper denial. In the silence of the old house my fingers leave traces in the film of dust. About the Poet Brenda Saunders Brenda Saunders (formerly known as Palma) is an Aboriginal artist, activist and writer. Her family are from the Wiradjuri nation in Central New South Wales, Australia. Her work is drawn from personal experience and politics as well as her knowledge of Aboriginal history and culture. Brenda is also a visual artist who uses digital imaging technologies to project current issues such as Aboriginal land rights and the social inequalities within the Aboriginal community of Australia. Her poetry was published in two anthologies in Sydney in 2002; From the Anabranch published by the Poets Union Inc. and Life in Gadigal Country, Gadigal Press, Sydney. Her reading of the poem 'Sydney, Real Estate - For Sale' was broadcast on ABC National Radio during 2002-3. Brenda is Coordinator of the National Aboriginal History and Heritage Council and a member of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative in Sydney.    [Above] Photo of Brenda Saunders by photographer unknown, 2002. I Next I Back I Exit I Thylazine No.10 (September, 2004)