Paleep
By Arika Waulu Onus
Paleep means tree
Landback! the cockatoos screech
Climbing, swinging
Special to me
Firewood, chainsaws
Development they preach
Paleep means tree
Landback! the wallabies scream
More than a source of warmth for me
Original beings here
Wardrobes, water ponds and snack cupboards
Paleep have been
Since colonisation
Weatherboards, paper
Refined, disposable
Evolution they say
The original beings still here
Paleep means tree
Landback! the orchids chant
Birthing hospitals, fishermen’s smokehouse and tiny homes
More than planks could mean
Since invasion twisted beings
Attempting to reshape
Violent scenes, direction trees seen
Breatheback! the paleep leaves sway
A living growing being
Holding stories and messages
As the original lead the way