Tongerlongeter (6)

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The moon

On their bodies

Numinous

Gathered at the full of every moon

Each distinct tribe

Reverence profound

Looking eyes upturned arms

Orb luminous

Night ecstatic

Gathered to dance

Each distinct tribe

The moon

Engraved in stone, depicted in charcoal on the walls of their huts

Reminiscence

‘a tribe camped on the face of the hill about two miles away in front of our house at the time when the moon was full and we could see capering before a large fire’

            (see Reynolds & Clements, Tongerlongeter.)

Tongerlongeter (5)

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Tongerlongeter

On the morning as a storm lashed

No outward wailing

Grief inward

Extra-large coffin

Remains covered with earth

Luxury on the lands of his primeval existence

On the morning as a storm lashed

No outward wailing

Grief inward

Engaged in a justifiable war against the invaders of their country

Tongerlongeter

Exile

Remains covered with earth

.

Tongerlongeter (4)

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Tasmanian

Of earth and stars

Not extinguished at death

Guerrilla strikes – “reconnaissance, ritual preparation, weaponry, wind speed and direction…”

Eldest girl, Mary, covered in blood

Radius bone violently torn away

Life saved

Of earth and stars

Not extinguished at death

Garment of wool lined with linen or fine-weave wool

Esteemed

Tasmanian

Edged with white

Remembered no more

.

(see Reynolds & Clements, Tongerlongeter.)

Tongerlongeter (3)

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The land

Only this

Nullius

George Arthur, governor of Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) was instructed to

Engage with Aggressions in the same manner as if they proceeded from subjects of an accredited State

Resistance – a protracted warfare

Lamented Arthur

Only twenty-six left

Nullius

Governor of Tasmania instructed that they shall be immediately

Embarked for Great Island where they shall be treated with all kindness that humanity can dictate

The shadows of a hideous dream

Enduring sense of injustice

Resistance

.

Tongerlongeter (2)

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Toka Mengha leah. The timber cross has vanished.

On seeing on a clear day the coast of Tasmania,

Numerous statements confirm, and the summit of the snow-capped Ben Lomond,

Gave tears – “There my home, there my country.”

Extraordinary, the procession of Tongerlongeter into Hobart.

Robinson and his son led, thirteen Aboriginal associates, and the twenty-six survivors of the war,

Leisurely, accompanied by a large pack of dogs.

On seeing on a clear day the coast of Tasmania,

Numerous statements confirm, and the summit of the snow-capped Ben Lomond,

Gave tears – ‘”There my home, there my country.”

Ever recurring attacks – eighty-six pages in the Colonial Office records.

Thistles mark his grave.

Earth. A plain and sacred

Right. [They are not rebellious subjects, but an injured nation.]

.

A song played at Tongerlongeter’s funeral, ‘in honour of a Great Chief’, contained these words: ‘Toka Mengha leah’. (see Reynolds & Clements, Tongerlongeter.)

Testimony (3)

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Inspired

Notated

Traditions

Otherness

.

Worth

Here

Included

Calling

Homewards

.

But

Years

.

And

Centuries

Creation

Identity

Despair

Exceeds

Numberless

Time

.

Westwards

Eternal

.

Heaven

And

Visions

Expressed

.

Blackness

Enlarges

Entreaty

Nought

.

Born

Outside

Rain

North

.

Acrostic: “Into which by accident we have been born.” Carl Sagan, addressing Congress, 1985.

Testimony (2)

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Astonished

.

Violence

Itself

Exodus

Welcome

.

Time

Heightened

Attention

Traced

.

Template

Religious

Axioms

Normalised

Sympathy

Creature

Enfold

Nigh

Death

Secure

.

Occident

Undefiled

Righteous

.

Entrance

Xerxes

Crowned

Local

Uniform

Slavery

Impressed

Value

Ecstatic

.

Incarnate

Depths

Effaces

Nobility

Time

Itself

Formulates

Identity

Cusped

A

Timeless

I

Openness

Near

Sea

.

.

Acrostic: “A view that transcends our exclusive identifications.” Carl Sagan, addressing Congress, 1985.

Testimony (1)

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Irony

.

To

Hope

Intensively

Nature

Known

.

To

Heal

Another

Time

.

When

Home

Astounds

Transcends

.

Instinctive

Sure

.

Earth

Safely

Shelters

Earthbound

Nations

Timeless

Itself

Attune

Long

.

Ire

Selfless

.

Abloom

.

Ghostly

Life

Oblique

Bathed

Absconding

Love

.

Centred

Observant

Normality

Secure

Calm

In

Outward

Unity

Shadows

Named        

Eternity

Saturn‘s  

Son                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       .                                                                                                                 

Acrostic: “I think that what is essential is a global consciousness.” Carl Sagan, addressing Congress, 1985.