The Ngarigo
people are recognized as the traditional custodians of the majority of the
region we now know as the Snowy Monaro region.
in the Ngarigoi
language Fire is djigun/wada & Horse Yaraman
Djigun Yaraman (Fire Horse) ..... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet
since in the
mountains he did dwell
where flames
and fire had scorched the earth,
blackened the
gums, stolen from birth
so many foals
still in the womb
of Mother's
caught in firestorms tomb.
His chestnut
hide glowed like a flame
'twas rich and
red - it helped proclaim
to all the
mares still running free
that this was
apex Stallion - see
his noble
head, the length of bone,
the warrior’s
stance none could dethrone.
In stark
contrast, mares grey and black
with foals at
foot stood calmly back
amongst the
blackened snow gum trees
enjoying a
soft warming breeze
that slowly melted
snow away
from grass on
which their young ones lay.
All was
serene, the sky was blue
there was no
threat - or none in view.
They took
their ease, enjoyed a roll,
whilst others
waited - soon they'd foal,
Flame was
their master and their king
and kept them
safe from everything.
He's kept his
family hidden well.
Will that
continue? Who can tell.
No doubt Park
folks will still come calling
to carry out
their cull. Appalling.
We can but
hope that Flame survives
along with all
his foals and wives.
For once all
brumbies are removed
who'll
guarantee that all's improved?
And if
perchance they are proved wrong
Who will sing
the brumbies swan song?
And won't our
mountain slopes seem bare
without our
brumbies grazing there?
Is this what
you all want to see?
It doesn't sit
well - not with me.
This is my
country, and my home,
and it's
theirs too - just let them roam.
They do no
harm that I can see.
But bring joy
to the soul in me
***The area
now known as Kosciuszko National Park was the traditional home of two
Aboriginal groups – the Walgalu people and the Ngarigo people
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