Our River

– A Collaborative Poem by the ‘Strong Futures’ class

The current – it flows – like culture flowing together as do we all work together.

You feel a part of the environment, it’s a connection, like stepping into another world washing all your troubles away.

The river, she feels serious.

The waves calm my anxiety.

I get so anxious I shake.

Not near the river and with these people, I am comfortable with these people and I trust them.

The river is a she because she’s beautiful.

Sparkling when the sun hits the water.

The river, a sense of freedom, of peace – the water flowing in the rhythm of continuity.

Peaceful, calm, relaxed.

I need that calm in my life, especially when I’m angry. The river soothes me.

Like the river, life has its ups and downs, but it always keeps flowing on.

It has a feeling of belonging, providing food and water, bringing people together. It’s good to pass on knowledge about fishing. How to fix the rods, finding the best place to cast.

It feels empty, no bites.

There are too many lines in the waters.

That Callop we caught, we put it back. Why take the small ones? There’s no point, they need time to develop. Throw them back, let them grow and keep the river strong

Don’t disrespect the river, the environment, the animals.

We belong here, clean it up.

The river is full of stories, Ngaut Ngaut, Mulyawongk, Witj Witj and the story of Ponde

Going fast on a biscuit. The river, the trees, go by so fast.

We can see the fish jump, but it’s hard to catch them. You wait till they bite. The river teaches you to be patient. You need patience to fish, actual! You need that in your life.

Relaxed, cool.

I want to jump in.

I swam here since I was a kid, the memories are strong.

A cool breeze, never too hot or too cold.

Let it glow, like your culture………….