hearth 

Featured in

  • Published 20250204
  • ISBN: 978-1-923213-04-3
  • Extent: 196 pp
  • Paperback, ebook. PDF

yes, one day, finally, it will all fall away 

like all dead things 

we will sit again by the campfire 

story illuminating the fall of empire 


one day 

again 

we will choose enough 

lean away from more 

pull our hands from its heat 

lean 

wandunban nguliindu

always 

into the earth 

quickening its molten heart

we will draw from there

unflinching

our song 

carry it 

on feathered feet 

to deepest country 

cast it toward the shore


one day again

mudhunda

you will thrum  

and our song 

will bear witness 

wandhandja wandhanja mardin-yimba 

blak witness of all time 


One day one day one day.


*******

wandunban nguliindu– our customary/spiritual way of being 

mudhunda – the name I have given to so called Australia, meaning the song Country

wandhanja wandhanja – everywhen

mardin – the people

yiimba – hear listen and think 

‘One day one day one day.’ – With permission from A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle 

Share article

About the author

Cheryl Leavy

Cheryl Leavy writes non-fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Her first children’s book, Yanga Mother, was published by UQP in 2024. She has been awarded...

More from this edition

Dining in

In ConversationThe intimate, private setting naturally creates a close connection between the chef and diners, making it easier for the chef to share the stories, heritage and traditions behind each dish. For diners, the cosy, welcoming atmosphere makes them feel as though they’ve been invited into a friend’s home. From a business perspective, a home-based restaurant comes with fewer overhead costs, such as rent and wages. This allows me, as the business owner, to deliver high-quality food at a more affordable price, as these expenses are not factored into the food cost.

The blue room

FictionMum did not tell us that Sabina had tried to kill herself. She said that she was unwell, and because she was unmarried and her children lived interstate Sabina would stay with us while she convalesced. We figured it out after she arrived; she did not appear sick, but lively and plump. Nor was there any regularity to her medical appointments. Though Phoebe was irritated that she would have to share her bathroom we found the situation morbidly glamorous, the sick woman with the elegant name whose stay would end with recovery or its opposite. So many sibilant words: suicide, convalescence, Sabina. Having no knowledge of death or any conviction we would ever die, suicide seemed tinged with romance. That Sabina lived confirmed our belief that death was not serious.

Bellend

Poetry ‘Nice little bell, buddy,’ snipes some guy holding  space in the bike lane as I nearly swipe him  on my way to the shops. Low and...

Stay up to date with the latest, news, articles and special offers from Griffith Review.