The Moment
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.by Margaret Atwood
Sources: Poem via Growing-Orbits via chasingtailfeathers. Image: Plagved
Related Posts with Margaret Atwood:
A far more eloquent way to remind us of our temporary space in this world and that truly we can lay no claim to ownership to anything. We can relish it, love it, breathe it in – and return it at some point..Love Atwood.
Right on Mimi!
Agree–Can’t say it better than that, Mimi! :-).
So there you have it. Mimi has closed the chapter on this book. Including the “I love Atwood” comment. Thanks Mimi.
Absolutely beautiful…thanks for sharing this David.
Thanks Carol
Very nice.
I thought so too. Thank you Ivsrao.
All those tall trees surrounded me and looked at my small size, I told them you can not lift your feet ! what use is your height ? I am small but am moving, I can jump up and down your branches, you can not stop leaves falling on me, nor stop climbing for fruits that deliciously fill my hunger.
You’ll have to jump/climb to find the fruit on these giants…:)
:))
Lovely 🙂
Yes, enjoy it while you can because “you can’t take it with you.” Of course, Margaret Atwood says it more eloquently.
Yes, what a way she has with words…
I love this. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you. I loved it too…