by Sidney Nolan

© n.d; circa 1945

Burke by Sidney Nolan © 1962

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As crystals descend
through the evening
So the camels descend
and men descend
in this extraordinary continent.

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As drought destroys
through the earth
so the throat destroys
in this extraordinary continent.

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As heat discards
through the heart
So the heart discards
And skin discards
in this extraordinary continent.

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As men vanish
through their eyes
so the bones vanish
transparent
in this extraordinary continent.