It unfolded on a dark and stormy evening…Lost in the sheer-fright of night-fire…Echoes of thunder-clap ebbing, the lightning smashed against the virginal and slender lure of its
smooth body…
Myrtaceae Eudicots shining in the wilderness of empty screams, the composites of such
alluring skin a mystery, in an Albert Namatjira water-colour affinity to glow forever,
caught…The leaves in mortal hands rub caustic eucalyptus cologne…How the old-ones
collected trail of its blood to render resins so strong…The unique smell of bush-fire would
be so lost without its burning demise…
Possessed by incarnate passion the solace of the bush screams with mute insanity…

Herbarium specimen images were provided by The National Herbarium of New South Wales.
The poetry film ‘An Illumines-cant Transmogrification of Being: Encountering the Ghost Gum’ was first shown at the Edinburgh Festival’s House of Oz, which showcased the diversity and vibrancy of Australian arts and creativity from 5-29 August, 2022.
Interview with Samuel
This film project was generously supported by AIATSIS and produced by Steph Vajda, Dan Baebler and Sam Watson from Article One.