In Literacy support we have been writing poems about our environment focusing on the presence of the river in our lives as well as Noongar seasons.  We then draw personalised spelling lists from our creative work.

We are currently in the season of Kambarang, the season of birth, or second spring.  It is the wildflower season with longer dry spells; literally translated ‘kambarang’ means ‘rains decreasing’.  Quandong trees and other small shrubs that bear berries are ripening, ready for harvesting later in the season.  Kambarang is a season of plenty and foods such as – fruits, yams and bird-eggs are abundant.  Nyoongar families move towards the coast where Kooyal (frogs), yaarkin (tortoises) and gilgie (freshwater crayfish) are caught by hand in wetlands and swamps.  Snakes and goannas are also caught as sources of food during this season.

(Source: https://www.thewetlandscentre.org.au/blog/the-six-seasons-of-the-nyoongar-calendar/).

Kambarang by Jayden

Dragonflies awaken, zig-zagging across the sky

Daisies smell like the morning breeze

I finally hear the chicks chirping

The grass feels a little damp when I am in bare feet

Can you see the ducklings cross the road?

Kambarang by Finn

The warm sand beneath my feet

scent of breeze whirling and twirling

in the morning I see the magpies searching the ground for worms

the sound of the busy birds coming through curtains

River by Sienna

I am the river I am strong I pull away the bank

I take away the sand and pull the trees into my depths

I run away trying to find answers

My waters are cold

I bash against the rocks

And I split into two paths

In search of a paradise to rest

River by Anoushka

I am the river bustling and breaking the branches that bend below the bank

I am the river struggling but strong I see the strangest of scorpions strutting along.

I am the river ruling all around risk-taking, rule-breaking I carry them down.

River by Jayden

I am the river, I am the fish carer

The moon makes my tides, I am the maker of life.

When the sun rises, I rise, body turning to mist.

When the sun sets, I come down to relax into rain

River I am.