Barrina South

Barrina is a Barkindji poet and critic. In 2022, Barrina was one of five Australian poets selected to participate in the Invisible Walls: poetry as a Doorway to Intercultural Understanding. In 2023, She was commissioned to write an ekphrastic poem for the National Gallery of Australia and awarded a Varuna First Nations Fellowship. Barrina lives and works on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country.

Poems of Barrina South

Cockatoos my eyes caress his limbs diaphanous droplets glisten like a crown on the canopy I press against the cool bark from the valley floor whee-la whee-la whee-la a mournful cry that has circled all day bringing more makarra some land heavy loosen the jewels that shower down onto the nape of my neck others crack pinecones a glimpse of a yellow blush cheek I eavesdrop on clicks and chatter envious of their gentle allopreening as they leave believing I can touch their sombre underbellies reach out I am home…

Read More