THE MOMENT
By Margaret Atwood
The moment when, after many years
of hard work and a long voyage
you stand in the centre of your room,
house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,
knowing at last how you got there,
and say, I own this,
is the same moment when the trees unloose
their soft arms from around you,
the birds take back their language,
the cliffs fissure and collapse,
the air moves back from you like a wave
and you can't breathe.
No, they whisper. You own nothing.
You were a visitor, time after time
climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.
We never belonged to you.
You never found us.
It was always the other way round.
How very true - it would do us all good to understand this.
ReplyDeleteI do find it funny how many people like to declare their ownership over the earth only to have nature come back and destroy their efforts.
ReplyDeleteA smarter species would understand such things.
Ah … the arrogance of humankind. Margaret Atwood expresses it so well in this piece. It is always good to remember. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this information. Cum visit me
ReplyDeleteMarja, this poem is so beautiful and so right..
ReplyDeleteNo one owns a thing.. we come with nothing and go with nothing..
The only thing we take is our experience and our memories.. and love in our hearts..
Much love to you too
Sue xxx
What a wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Atwood was "spot on" with the words she wrote.
Love the line "it was always to other way round".
I wonder if mankind will come to realise this.
Thanks for posting it Marja.
Big hugs
Peggy ♥♥♥