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Thylazine: The Australian Journal of Arts, Ethics & Literature                                                                                                                                   #9/thyla9k-km AUSTRALIAN POETS SERIES 9 The Poetry of Kathleen Morgan Selected by Coral Hull [Above] Photo of Kathleen Morgan by David Hammer, 2004. I CREATIVE PLAY I YOU CAN'T SEE HIM ! I A SENSE OF PLACE I FLYING FOX FREIGHT I EATING IN MY MIND I CREATIVE PLAY I saw some Koori kids at the beach today, not at school learning the white mans' way, of words and numbers, power and greed, how to get what you want, not what you need. Diving through waves, at one with the sea, so happy to feel so naturally free, gathering shellfish from 'round the shore, dropping them off to run back for more. I thought to myself as I went on my way, how much they must learn from their creative play, being one with the land on the edge of the sea, I hope that my child is as happy and free. Published in The Koori Mail (Australia). YOU CAN'T SEE HIM ! (A Tribute to Burnum Burnum) He lives in the sky above the clouds, while his bones and skin break down in the ground. He used to be here, some saw his face, were held in his arms as they shared his space. He was a father, a partner, a brother, a son. He did so much of what needed to be done. Planting the flag beneath the White Cliffs of Dover let the world know the battle wasn't over. The land is the Dreaming, the Dreaming's alive, from the past to the future the essence survives. Breathing salt air gazing across the sea, a great man is dead, but a great spirit is free. Published in The Koori Mail (Australia) and Turiya Yoga Foundation Journal (Australia). A SENSE OF PLACE Walking together sharing this land, helping other people to understand the life and culture of traditional times, I research information, turn it into rhymes. I'm trying hard to bridge the gap, gather the data for a new map. There's such a need for education, understanding may bring reconciliation. For knowledge is power to be cherished with care, respect must be shown some things we won't share. So many energies can be contained in one space, it's important to tap into this sense of place. Walking together take an outstretched hand, learn about the culture belonging to this land, forget what you've read, or heard people say see with your own eyes what's happening today. Published in The Koori Mail (Australia) FLYING FOX FRIEGHT The distant highway rumbles intermittently through blackness of native vegetation. Like a deep muffler groaning from inside a bat cave echoing the vibration carried away. Brakes screeching as the colony makes way to its destination. Creatures coming together in transportation. In distribution. Published in The Koori Mail (Australia) and Free Range (Poets Union Anthology, Australia, 1997). EATING IN MY MIND Come on, old people walk with me, tell me what you know about the sea. The moonlight guides me along the puddled path, as I gaze into the oceans boundless bath. I rain cleansed boulder, a coastal midden, windswept Banksias, so much is hidden. I sense an energy, I'm taken back in time to a gathering of people eating in my mind. Slowly I walk on, a presence follows me, through my feet on the ground, through my eyes on the sea. I hear the sound on crashing waves rolling to the shore, an uncontrollable craving to find out mind *This poem was written at Pebbly Beach Forster, a gathering place with middens scattered along the foreshore. After living in the area for three years, this began my research into local Aboriginal history. Published in The Koori Mail (Australia). About the Poet Kathleen Morgan Born in 1969 and raised in suburban Sydney, the writing of poetry began seriously at the age of eight years old. Publication in various anthologies, newspapers, and newsletters (regional, national, and international) followed, with the first publication of poetry occurring in a local newspaper (1992), followed by the first publication within an anthology (1994), and first performed public reading of original works at the NSW Writers Centre, Sydney (1991). While employed as a Teachers Aide, the establishment of creative writing groups for gifted and talented students within a number of NSW public and independent schools was undertaken, utilising poetry to develop literacy skills in special needs' students. Issues commonly explored include death/spirituality, cultural/ environmental heritage, self/identity and political/social themes. Presently developing works within the realm of cyberculture, while exploring the relationships between word and symbol, and working on self publishing a first collection of poems.    [Above] Photo of Kathleen Morgan by David Hammer, 2004. I Next I Back I Exit I Thylazine No.9 (March, 2004)