We Do Not Own The Land In A True Sense Poem by Francis Duggan

We do not own the land in a true sense since to the land we do belong
Though most would disagree with such thinking and say what I say is all wrong
The land was long here before we came and long after the breath of life from us has gone
The land will still be in existence and life on the Planet will go on
On paper you may be the legal owner of a home but that's only for as long as you live
In your Will you may bequeath it to your children but 'tis only the lease of it to them you give
Since death too will also be their lot and the place where your home does now stand
In centuries from now by human law will belong to another in a true sense just another tenant of the land
We came into the World tiny and helpless and though in life we may know of wealth and fame
In death the wealthy and famous one as the deceased pauper only the same
Your property you cannot take with you your assets where they are remain
We return to the Earth that owns us what I've said I will say again
The Indigenous Elders have the right idea when they say to the land we belong
And for that I can only applaud them since most others have got it all wrong.