Our Country
Glaciers tossed rocks into our hilltop
for oaks, maples, sweet gums, elms,
All say “Our Country”.
Many squirrels, woodpeckers, jays,
cardinals, morning doves
All say “Our Country”.
Snow falling freezing melting flowing
flowing back into sky
flowing across Sky Country
across Land Country
through Tree Country
all saying “Our Country”.
Air blowing into our mouths,
along the branches of our arteries and veins
along the branches of our breathing
back to the trees and bushes and grasses and flowers.
All say “Our Country”.
Our Country is right here flowing within me and thee.
I/thou flowing within Our Country.
written after learning of how Australian Aborigines see their Country from the writings of the anthropologist and eco-feminist Deborah Bird Rose
