We Are the Land We Walk Upon: Student Poems for NAIDOC Week

Inspired by We Are the Land We Walk Upon, students took part in a poetry workshop led by Worimi artist and poet Nicole Smede. Through deep listening, observation and reflection, they explored stories of Country, community and belonging, creating original poems inspired by the exhibition's themes.

Students also had the opportunity to meet exhibiting artist and curator Tess Allas, who joined the workshop for a special Q&A about her work and artistic practice.

Published for NAIDOC Week, the poems below were written by First Nations students and reflect their connections to Country, culture, identity and story.

Student Poems

The Feel of the Beach
Flynn M, Russell Vale Public School

Rough vivid shells wash ashore of the coastline
like a crowd rushing to a concert
crashing waves of adrenaline
raw like a dinosaur

I hear the soft whispering winds tiptoe into my ears
the drums remind me of tap sticks
at a smoking ceremony, like a heartbeat

I feel the breeze brush past
and I feel safe and strong
in my heart and in the land.

More than the Land and Sea
Deo P, Berkeley Public School

Above the land flies hundreds
of white like fluff
swaying vast in the wide filled air
reaching the head of a

mountain, it stood there
strong and proud like an heir
touches the senses of

trees, which dance in the biting
air from after rainfall
miniscule drops
crowd their way onto

the dense soil, filled with flora
that sway across the valley

you see bees buzzing from flowers
the deep earthy smell beneath your feet
the long grass that stands tall
above them all, until you reach

the yellow millions
of sand, you remember dawdling
along the shoreline grasping
onto your personal souvenirs
that lay deep into the thick grains of sand

you love this feeling, going through your body

as the water sprays you with salty water
you smell the sea breeze brush
against your nose

you know this is where you’re meant to be
so elegant through the calm breeze

This is you.

The Rocks
Flynn R, Berkeley Public School

The green colours burst brightly
birds chirped in the daylight outside
you see colourful rocks
big and small
smooth and sharp
different patterns watch you explore
rocks and glass
this, I’ve seen before dot the room
calm me, with those memories.

The Cold Beach
Penelope S, Berkeley Public School

I can hear the blue waves echoing
In the distance, like leaves
swaying in the breeze

you will feel yourself walking
through the sands at my home

I remember the breeze from the trees
at my home, I feel the connection
of the pond near my home

I felt a sigh of relief, walking
on those sands.

The Beach is Special
Henry P, Berkeley Public School

The blue ocean is a majestic place
waves crash against the sandy shore
as they call, I remember calmness

It was fun when I made sandcastles

I am happy here, at the beach.

The Beach
Asher B, Berkeley Public School

The hot yellow sand makes me tap dance
I hear the loud blue waves calling me in the distance
I feel happy as the waves dance and wave me over
the rocks remind me of all the times I have been here
I feel safe and peaceful of all the aspects
of the beach.

The Deep Oceans Whisper
Audrey N, Berkeley Public School

The deep dark ocean is like the sky at night
the ripples like a picture
the drum makes me remember
the waves washing up
against my ankles

the ocean, you feel calm
you remember

I remember when memories ran back
I’ve been here

the clear ocean
I remember its safe embrace
calm, peaceful, relaxed
It’s cold, but hot.

I love it here.

Untitled
Lilly H, Berkeley Public School

Fragments lay on a background like a stormy, silky sky
drums thump and sync to that of a heartbeat
walking into a room, cool and familiar
the feeling of cold young days come back to me
accompanied by the feeling of safety.

The Sky at Night
Ariana D, St Therese Catholic Primary School

The sunset a deep red sky
with hints of yellow flying by
birds singing their lullaby
calming the world with its time

you feel safe here listening to the song
as you walk along

as you walk on the mountain
you see the view and remember
what you do
the feeling of peace hugs you and me

now its night snuggle in tight
and say goodnight.

Image: Students visiting We are the land we walk upon for their poetry workshop.