Treaty Words

sorenbarrett

“As long as the moon shall rise”

(Has it fallen from the skies?)

“As long as the rivers flow”

(Garbage plugged them long ago)

“As long as the sun shall shine”

(Thick smog from skyline to skyline)

“As long as the grass does grow”

(Only pavement now does show)

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Comments4

  • Doggerel Dave

    Very neat, Soren.
    Now, I tried to trace the quoted lines back, but Prof Google (not for the first time) left me in a state of dissatisfaction and confusion.
    Have you got a quick clean link to the treaty between presumably Canadian settlers and the indigenous population?
    This is not just willful curiosity - at this moment a heavy debate is going on in Oz re the merits of a voice v treaty in our relationship with our own First Nations people.

    I hope this hasn't detracted from your adroit piece which has much to say.

    • sorenbarrett

      Thanks Dave for the review and comment. I don't have a single link
      you may try : https://ualbertalaw.typepad.com › faculty › 2018/01 › as-l...
      Alexander Morris, Commissioner of Treaty 6, used the promise “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows.”

      • Goldfinch60

        Have alook at this Dave

        https://youtu.be/HSdNDFj5zJQ

        Andy

        • 2 more comments

      • Goldfinch60

        Very clever write soren.

        Andy

        • sorenbarrett

          Thanks Andy for the review and most kind words

        • Bella Shepard

          You have chosen a wonderful sketch to accompany this poem. I so often think that our indigenous peoples posessed the true relationship of human beings to the natural world. Our greed for territory led to the systematic removal and eradication of these peoples, causing untold grief and suffering. It is our shame. Progress at the expense of our world? As always you give us much food for thought, and conscience. Thank you dear poet!

          • sorenbarrett

            Thank you Bella for the kind words. The sketch was one I drew a while ago and thought it might go here. Yes it is not just what we have done to nature but ourselves and the failure to keep our own words.

          • L. B. Mek

            and so, so necessary
            Brilliant!

            • sorenbarrett

              Thanks L.B. appreciate the review



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