here is the wind that brings life to the flower cream yellow chalky cliffs resembling those of old england inflorescence bees and honey honey-eaters perch antiquities lumpy bark an opening appearing like a harbour this ardent sentry guards a roughened coast weathered autochthonous the appearance of highest fertility the flower golden browns the myth that nature conspires against us our boat proceeded along shore seed in a bunker wailing for fire singing for rain elementary in the distance small smoke rising

Herbarium specimen images were provided by The National Herbarium of New South Wales.
The poetry film ‘Old Man Banksia’ 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 Luke
This film project was generously supported by AIATSIS and produced by Luke Patterson in collaboration with Steph Vajda, Dan Baebler and Sam Watson of Article One.