See those trees

up to their knees

in the lake.

Branches bare,

no leaves to spare,

no boat’s wake

disturbs the sunken forest,

beneath a blazing sun,

so far from everyone,

the waters are at rest.

Lake Pamamaroo, Menindee.  Photo by Ginette Pestana

Teacher’s note: Nine mainly shallow lakes make up the Menindee Lakes on the Darling River in New South Wales.  Menindee was the first town established on the Darling, on the lands of the Barkindji people.  The nearest major city is Broken Hill.