.

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

.

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’

.

Tongerlongeter unmistakable

Onlookers saw his imposing stature missing arm wearing

New cloak

Graves littered the country

Economy free to grow

River people asked who would care for the

Land

On their way to the Straits they suffered much from seasickness

Nausea great wailing

Graves littered the country

Evening they sit around the fire and talk, or one sings,

The rest listen with deep interest and attention, frequently applauding by a general shout

Evil spirit

River people asked who would care for the Land

.

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

.

A song at his funeral, ‘in honour of a Great Chief’, contained these words: ‘Toka Mengha leah’.

.

To be to will to die

One among

Night

Greatness

Etched

Religion like stars

Lithe

One among

Night

Greatness

Etched

To be to will to die

Eternal

Religion like stars

.

(see Reynolds & Clements, Tongerlongeter)