Poisoned waterhole
violent disregard echoes
keenly felt today
Our final collaboration with the Western Riverina Arts and curator Jason Richardson for the Crossing Stream project is a poem written by Peita Vincent.
Poison Waterhole Creek near Narrandera owes its name to a tragic story (one of many) that happened when Europeans claimed the land, 200 years ago. In the 1830s, several groups of Aboriginal families used to camp by the waterhole. Annoyed and eager to get rid of them, the local homestead owner poured drums of poison into the waterhole, killing many of them. You can read more about it here
The author:
Peita says her love affair with the written word began early..
Through studying journalism she learned that everyone has a story to tell. Peita progressed to editing a newspaper before moving into the dark art of public relations.
Now part of Riverina-based communications consultancy Frank & Earnest, Peita has a strong interest in social justice and believes that everyone deserves a voice, regardless of their position or postcode.
This interest is central to the location described in her haiku, which hints at events early in the history of Europeans occupying the Riverina.
Haiku by Peita Vincent
Picture by Jason Richardson
This haiku poem is part of the Naviar haiku music challenge, where artists are invited to make music in response to a weekly assigned haiku poem. Participation is free and there are no limitations in the songs’ length or genre.
You have seven days from the posting of this haiku to submit your track. For information on how to make a submission, visit the Naviar Haiku Music Challenge page.
Submission deadline: 30th August 2017