…we don’t need to own property, we just need to connect with the land..

I own no land

Except that which is fenced in by

Hedges laid by my inexpert hands

And others

The wisdom of tradition

Tradition of wisdom

Empowering growth

When my arm swings true

It is and is not mine

*

I own no land

Except that carpeted by scattered seeds

We work the weft with rattle

Fancy tufts of knapweed

Sophisticated burnet

A dash of shocking vetchling pink

I know this blooming meadow

Is and is not mine

*

I own no land

Except that which is supported by

The thorn oak spindle rose we planted

Investments made

That are and are not mine

*

I own no land

But have an upper storey

Some northern hills

Furnished well with pine and birch

Attic stocked with montane scrub

When peat has stained my fingertips

It is and is not mine

*

I own no land

Except the rooms created

When we cleared the glade

Or the pools among the reeds

With lovely laughter

As cosy as the warm soft mud I fell in

That was and was not mine

*

I own no land

My shares are all invested in

This green company I work with/for

I’m mortgaged to the hilt

For a cloud of wings

A thread of song

A jewelled eye

This grass flower here

This bee

I think the land owns me