https://redroompoetry.
org/poets/kirli-saunders/disconnection/
Disconnection
By Kirli Saunders
~ Gundungurra interpretations provided by Trish Levett and Aunty Val Mulcahy
Gundungurra English
Goodjahgah Little one,
nga gamiri ngyini mundu I see you mouth empty spaces
empty spaces for a mother’s words to fill
for gummuang words to fill and stretch your ears
and stretch your guri for the stories and their voices
for the pialla and their voices
I watch your trembling limbs
nga gamiri your ache to shake
trembling limbs ache to shake in dance
in tangara and hear your lungs
and hear your lungs as they gasp as they gasp with songs unknown
yoongaba
I feel your
nga feel your body sans
body sans spirit,
burrungilling ceremony
yabbun and secret
and secret
and know that
and know that it has been grown
it has been grown with roots
with roots wrenched wrenched
from the daoure that cradled them from the earth
that cradled them
and nga taste the hunger
ngyini do and I taste the hunger
to know the parts of yourself you do
to feel yurwang to know the parts of yourself
to feel at home
when your
Duwi has been taken when your
Dreaming has been taken
sans – without
Originally published in Kindred, 2019
(Magabala)
https://redroompoetry.org/poets/kirli-saunders/disconnection/
‘Disconnection’ by Kirli Saunders
Questions
Please answer these by handwriting in your English (or other) book.
1. The title sets the tone of this poem – in your own words, explain what the word
‘disconnection’ means and the connotations of this word. For example, how is it
different to ‘unconnected’?
2. Who is the speaker addressing in this poem?
3. Why do you think the poet has written this poem in the original Gundungurra
language? What effect does this have on the reader? How does it contribute to the
poem’s meaning?
4. In small groups you will discuss, analyse and annotate the poem.
a. Each stanza focuses on a different element of indigenous culture and identity.
What are these different elements?
b. Find examples of metaphors, rhyme and words that express a negative
emotion or experience.
c. Look at both versions closely. What are some of the key words where the poet
has used Gundungurra instead of English? Why do you think the poet has used
these particular words?
5. In your own words, explain what this poem is about and how it relates to the theme
of Reconciliation as introduced by the poet herself in the Youtube video.
6. Reflect on your own cultural heritage. What different cultures make up your identity?
Are there any traditions, beliefs or cultural elements that have been lost over the
generations?
