Day One
IV. TOWN GOSSIP
1. Along The Wall
Down along the wall
by the weir
we were swapping camera shots
for conversation.
They were drinking plonk
out of the jagged
bottom
section
of an aluminium can
in the morning.
Talkin' about
the Yothu Yindi concert
& I was promised
a dance.
I said I would send them
photos
& took some shots
of the totem poles
down near Dodge
& admired the art.
Got whistled at
so I whistled back
& had a good morning.
"I knew ya father
& ya uncle.
'e use ter draw
real good
pictures
out on all the walls
on the properties
out there.
I knew all ya family.
Hey, this one,
she's a Hull.
On ya sister."
One young woman said,
"I've been drinkin'
all me life
& I don't know why."
When I got home
dad said,
"Where'ave ya been?"
I said,
"Down along the wall
with the kooris.
Dad, they're alright.
I had a good morning." |