river of mists
paddling through clouds
of wattle
Enchanted Garden, Issue 11, April 2025
This poem reflects my deep connection to the Australian landscape, a strong theme in my haiku that is not always fully understood by international audiences. The Yarra River which wends through my hometown of Melbourne was called Birrarung (river of mists) by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. While often shrouded in swirling mist in winter, the river comes alive in early spring as bright yellow wattle—Australia’s national emblem—blossoms along the riverbanks, reflected glorious gold in the river’s slow-flowing brown water.
This haiku is filled with the colours and beauty of a place that is special to me, while also acknowledging the sacredness of the river to those who have hunted, camped and celebrated along its banks for tens of thousands of years.