The Lady at my Window

~ Ngunawal interpretations provided by Jai Bell 

Ngunawal 

Gagu Bula Gagu
Balan Mil
Garani
Gulunggaya
gaydundun 
baabin
Yugu
 
Minya Indegee
 
Dhanugulanga Mil
Dhanugulanga
Gaydundun
Dhanu Ngawadjba
Indegee Mani Nganiny
 
Baray Dhanu
Dhanu
Yimaba Nayi Yanggu
Walu
Warumandji Walani
 
Wiraga Daldamanda Dhurali  
 
Yangga Ngala
Gulanggaya
 
Balan
Dhanu Gudha  
Nagu
 
Nganaga Gunanggu
Walani Gawari
 
Balan Nayi
Dagawinyu
Dhanugulanga
Dhanugulanga Ya Guri
Gudha Ngandin
 
Nadjang Maga Yarag
 
Dhanu
Dhanugulanga
 
 
Dhanugulanga Gudha Nganiny Dunurang
Nguraman
 
Ngaragalung Yarabanali
 
Warumandji Dhanugulanga
Djilmang
 
Banggur Gaway
 
Gulunggaya
 
 
Dhanugalunga Ganami  
Indegee Nayi
Balan 
Gulunggaya

English

Night after night,
the lady with the scary eyes,
and wiry hair,
appears at my window.
screaming
crying
angry
 
But what did I do wrong?
 
Her eyes grow wider
and her indiscernible words
louder
She leans forward through the window
As I retreat to the safety of the underside of my pillow.
 
Faster than she came
she was gone.
 
You can look now
and where the window was,
there is a campfire.
 
The neighbour’s house across the drive
reverts to a comfortable gunyah.
 
Song moves through the trees
and into my room.
 
The lady at the window smiles,
As she prepares her children
for the evening.
 
It is eternally calm and peaceful.
 
Who are these people?
Why are they camping outside my window?
 
The lady looks over,
and just like the setting sun—
her smile begins to fade.
Her calls to husband become desperate,
The children become frightened.
 
Mother smothers the fire and prepares for battle.
 
She uses instinct
to hide herself.
 
She places the children under bark.
Using the dark cover of night,
 
The villains arrive
 
With their muskets
and mongrels muted.
 
And there she is again at my window.
silent
 
Now showered in tears of red.
 
Closing my eyes never ails.
 
Her image burns my consciousness—
I remain staring
at the lady
at my window.