Dark Emu is part of a song cycle re-telling the stories of indigenous constellations. The emu constellation is only seen when you look at the darkness between the stars, rather than the patterns of the stars themselves. In life, it is when we look at our own darkness that we give ourselves the chance to discover the light.
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There’s this man, unseeing man,
In his darkness doesn’t know what lies around.
An angry soul, demanding man,
By resentment and complaint his life is bound.
“Bring yam!” “Bring plum!”
“I call, she come.”
“Woman, get bigger eggs!”
“Woman, use your legs!”
Came the dawn, she walked forlorn,
Seeking signs of bigger emus for her prey.
Dejected soul, oppressed and worn,
Feeling duty-bound to give her man his way.
Tracks found! Nest sought
Rocks thrown, bird fought;
Woman lost her head
Emu killed her dead.
Back at home, the man alone
Waits impatiently, and hot his anger burns.
His helper gone, he’s forced to roam;
Eats some berries and next day his sight returns.
“Get spear! I go
Find her. I throw
Spear — emu died!
Banished to the sky.”
Anger leaves its scars
Darkness in the stars.
© Clare Pascoe 2018
Dadirri Life Melodies 