A Chant - Two ten-year old Australian suicides in WA
*** Ten year-olds are children
Let them talk to their folks
Let their eyes open wide
Let their lips start smiling
Let them walk free of pain
Let them feel how much
We will aways love them.
***
A Poem [After Prévert] - The sad suicide of two ten-year old Australians *** They say no with the head they say yes with a smile they agree with loved ones they say no to teachers. Sitting beside the board, the problems yet to solve they burst out in laughter, and rub off the writings. Despite the many threats of staring smart-arses they draw in full colour the face of happiness on the whiteboard of adversity.
Anyone feeling
‘unwell within themselves’ or ‘feeling things
are not quite right’, please contact: 13 YARN
[D’après François Villon’s Ballade ‘Frères humains qui après nous vivez’, 1489]
Sisters among whom I’ve enjoyed living, Those of you whose words I have read and heard, Women who ponder the choices we have, My daughters (and those later born of them), Sisters be aware, you are role models Forget the crude jests and crass abuses That mocked you and your personal beliefs The Uluru call was a people’s cry Own your power and claim: kulila*! People, be humane: listen to the voice.
Australians, your First Peoples have spoken Asking for their growth to be supported, Calls for survival have remained unheard Can’t we offer them the chance of progress? Ignore the put-downs rebukes and the likes Yesterday we closed and maintained silence, We switched off the news, respecting elders Let’s be heard again, speak for a fair go! Grant the First Peoples what they ask: be just! People, be humane: listen to the voice.
And you good reader, wishing to alleviate The First People’s needs in healthier days, You who plan ahead devising programs For a better life, take a step: be kind! People, be humane: listen to the voice.
*kulila: means ‘listen!’ in Pitjantjatjara language in the APY lands
When I say I like Jazz people ask me; ‘Which type? and Who is your favourite?’ It’s tempting to say the Blues and Ray Charles, Traditional Jazz with Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman or Popular Jazz like Gershwin’s Summertime. But I favour Early Swing and the repertoire of soloists like trumpetist Louis Armstrong, and of saxophonist Ragtime player Sidney Bechet. What appeals to me most in swing is off-beat music that has a free flow, spontaneity and vocalisation. Armstrong also cooperated with Ella Fitzgerald. The famous pieces I love are, C’est si bon, Petite Fleur and Oh, Lady Be Good!
Si je dis que j’aime le Jazz on me demande : ‘Quel Genre et Qui aimez-vous ?’ Je pourrais être tentée de dire Les Blues et Ray Charles, le Jazz Traditionnel avec Ben Miller et Benny Goodman ou le Jazz populaire comme dans Summertime de Gershwin ? Mais je préfère le Swing et le répertoire de solistes comme du trompettiste Louis Armstrong, et du saxophoniste du Ragtime Sidney Bechet. Ce qui m’attire le plus dans le début du Swing c’est la musique qui se déroule avec un rythme libre et vocalisation spontanée. Armstrong a aussi coopéré avec Ella Fitzgerald. Les titres que je préfère sont : C’est si bon, Petite Fleur et Oh, Lady Be Good.
International Mother Language Day | United Nations
The Mother Language is the first language we’ve known and we identify with. It’s also called the First or Principal language. Education in the mother language means that instruction is made in that language, which is also taught as a subject. In bilingual education two languages are used for instruction.
No need to be edgy; no tripping on jokes, say it straight. No need for a silent pause; no puzzling over context, burst into laughter. No need to be tongue-tied; no hesitation choosing a word, just verbalise it.
Journée Internationale de la Langue Maternelle | Nations Unies
La Langue Maternelle est la première langue qu’on connaisse et avec laquelle on s’identifie. Elle s’appelle aussi la Première langue ou langue Principale. L’enseignement dans la langue maternelle signifie que l’instruction se fait dans la langue maternelle qui est aussi un sujet enseigné. Dans l’éducation bilingue deux langues servent d’instruction.
Pas besoin d’être tendu ; on ne gâtera pas la plaisanterie, disons ce que nous pensons ! Pas besoin de pause silencieuse ; ni de reflection sur le contexte, éclatons de rire ! Pas besoin de tâter le terrain, d’ hésiter pour un choix de mot, simplement prononçons-nous !
Once a man offered to read my palm. I refused saying
I didn’t believe in palmistry. Besides, I feared I’d be
influenced by his predictions, therefore might ensure
the events took place.
My life has whirled in several directions. Time for a
quick review.
I am, now, in Australia because I met someone who
could get a job here. I wonder if after a prediction that
I’d live overseas I’d have planned to emigrate only to
find I couldn’t get a visa. Or, what if I met a handsome
man that didn’t want to travel?
Where would that leave me?
Il voulait me lire la main
Un jour un homme m’a offert de lire mes lignes de
main. J’ai refusé en disant que je ne croyais pas à la
chiromancie. En fait, j’avais un peu peur d’être
influencée par ses prédictions et de finir par
implémenter les évènements moi-même.
Ma vie est partie dans tous les sens. Il est temps de
vérifier où j’en suis.
Je suis maintenant en Australie parce que j’ai fait
connaissance de quelqu’un qui a trouvé du travail ici.
Je me demande s’il m’avait prédit que j’habiterais à
l’étranger, me serais-je préparer à immigrer pour
découvrir que je n’aurais pas droit à un visa. Ou bien
j’aurais pu rencontrer un partenaire qui ne voulait pas
voyager.
Kulila** is an Aboriginal word in the Pitjantjatjara Language
It means 'listen.' I’d like to listen to the First Nations whether
they be educated, non schooled, poor or well-off. Humans
are all the same. Numerous First Nations people have lost
family members, taken by governments, or bad sickness.
They’ve asked for recognition for an advisory ' Voice '
in the Constitution, so they can be heard whenever
they explain their needs. Yes, please, tell us what
helps so we can in fact make wiser decisions.
My mother said ‘Several heads are better
than one.’ Let's improve the status quo.
Kulila! Vote Yes! * A random selection of language 'positive responses'
**See Ali Cobby Eckermann’s poem Kulila | The On Being Project
Yayi's Paroles 
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