Ganyila

                        Djurrga                                 
An ancient womb    
enfolds            dungga gunang 
                        warang         
a rumbling energy
calls within                           
entering 
an infinite time
                        wanyimbuwanyimbu birrama
behind 
and forward  
and lost                                             
 
past singing             
in future, 
future seeded          
                        in warra ngaya.
in past           
           
blood energy           
around and within
a core            
 
                       Wakul birriwal,
crawling further       
                       birriwal ganyila
and silent       in marruy
in silence       and marruy
closer            
                      bugbungga the butjung
 
Deep learnings,      
                       yii.
                                   
seed the future 
sing in past.
                       
                       Murray 
Trust
embrace         ngarra
unfold             wandha ngarra-yn
where light     gamba
encourages.   gamba and gari
                       going.
 
Keep going   
           keep going 
                        keep.

 
Note: This piece is essentially two poems that are designed to be read together; to intersect and become one. The merging of present and past; cultural knowing and relearning; overcoming and trust.  
 
Gathang interpretations guided from A Grammar and Dictionary of Gathang: the language of the Birrbay, Guringay and Warrimay by Amanda Lissarrague.
 

 
English translation
 
 
                         Entering                      
An ancient womb       
enfolds            know 
                        trepidation
a rumbling energy
calls within                              
 
entering 
an infinite time
                        all times tremble
behind 
and forward    
and lost                                                          
 
past singing               
in future, 
future seeded
                        in mother's womb.
            in past            
           
blood energy              
around and within
            a core
 
                        Warrior,
crawling further          
                        become brave
and silent        in silence
in silence        and silent
            closer
                        kiss the dark
 
Deep learnings,          
                        here.
                                 
seeded the future 
sing in past.
                     
                        Within
Trust
embrace          listen
unfold              where listening
where light      calls
encourages.    invites and ushers
                        going.
 
Keep going    
            keep going 
                        keep.