It would be wonderful to flip the phrase on its head like that Claudia, because it is true. We are really just caretakers. Unfortunately, the phrase has quite negative connotations in Australia (and probably only those familiar with Australian history will pick up on the nuances in Alicia's wonderful poem) because the English used the term to justify forming their colony here after a voyage on the Endeavour (note the use of the words colony and endeavour in Alicia's poem) taking the land from our First Nations Peoples. They called the land Terra Nullius, claiming no one lived here. But yes, it would be lovely if humans understood our role as caretakers and not owners.
I feel so ignorant, I didn’t know about the unfortunate original use of terra nullius. I’m sorry. It was actually the Roman Empire that introduced the concept of land ownership. The Greek, the Celtic thought that land cannot be owned, it belongs to no one therefore it must be handled with care. A concept that sounds absurd in today’s world. With its drak past, terra nullius cannot become the motto of a revolution.
Dear Claudia, I learned this term when I came to Australia to live in my husband’s country. Here the history of dispossession is deeply sad. I echo Alia’s words in which history is told and re-told and knowledge gets defused hence the connotation that a term adopts becomes obscured until a new sharing space allows for exchange. This project, The Future of Nature, has allowed us all to share so much. Thank you Claudia for encouraging to imagine across borders .
No need to feel ignorant, in a sense, we all are. There's no way we can know all the histories of all the people of the world. The best we can do is to accept we can't and don't know everything and try to broaden our horizons as much as possible. Due to your initiative Claudia, you brought together writers from far and wide (and quite a few here in Australia!) to share our stories and spread knowledge. You brought this new knowledge to yourself, and there's nothing ignorant about that :)
Echoing your words Alia, story and knowledge has become defused during the past two+ centuries. This and other spaces are thankfully allowing us all to share and know.
Dear Kate, I’m thrilled by knowing that that was the image this piece sparked in your mind. During this time writing for the project, I had a deep sense that we always call the Earth a “mother” and a mother that needs to provide and protect. Mother too (and all mothers, parents, and carers), they need to pause and to be in connection with their own child-self. So, what would happen if we think and act as if the Earth was a/our child instead. Would we feed keep doing and taking the same actions? Or, would we think twice and more carefully about our steps? Thank you my dear friend for drawing this project to my attention 🙏
Terra nullius - this land belongs to no one should be the motto of a revolution.
It would be wonderful to flip the phrase on its head like that Claudia, because it is true. We are really just caretakers. Unfortunately, the phrase has quite negative connotations in Australia (and probably only those familiar with Australian history will pick up on the nuances in Alicia's wonderful poem) because the English used the term to justify forming their colony here after a voyage on the Endeavour (note the use of the words colony and endeavour in Alicia's poem) taking the land from our First Nations Peoples. They called the land Terra Nullius, claiming no one lived here. But yes, it would be lovely if humans understood our role as caretakers and not owners.
I feel so ignorant, I didn’t know about the unfortunate original use of terra nullius. I’m sorry. It was actually the Roman Empire that introduced the concept of land ownership. The Greek, the Celtic thought that land cannot be owned, it belongs to no one therefore it must be handled with care. A concept that sounds absurd in today’s world. With its drak past, terra nullius cannot become the motto of a revolution.
Dear Claudia, I learned this term when I came to Australia to live in my husband’s country. Here the history of dispossession is deeply sad. I echo Alia’s words in which history is told and re-told and knowledge gets defused hence the connotation that a term adopts becomes obscured until a new sharing space allows for exchange. This project, The Future of Nature, has allowed us all to share so much. Thank you Claudia for encouraging to imagine across borders .
Thank you, Alicia. I'm happy that this community writing project brings so much to each and everyone of us.
No need to feel ignorant, in a sense, we all are. There's no way we can know all the histories of all the people of the world. The best we can do is to accept we can't and don't know everything and try to broaden our horizons as much as possible. Due to your initiative Claudia, you brought together writers from far and wide (and quite a few here in Australia!) to share our stories and spread knowledge. You brought this new knowledge to yourself, and there's nothing ignorant about that :)
Echoing your words Alia, story and knowledge has become defused during the past two+ centuries. This and other spaces are thankfully allowing us all to share and know.
Thank you, Alia. 💚
As someone living on Dhudhuroa Country, this poem spoke deeply to me Alicia. Well done and thank you!
Thank you Alia, I’m grateful for your message and comment.
Lush and meditative. Thoroughly enjoyed this Alicia!
Thank you Annie 💚
A gorgeous poem, Alicia, for our Earth on this special day. I was reading and thinking — we are all made of dead stars!
My favourite lines are your ending —
—Breathe my child, breathe!
And I saw the Earth exhale and take in another breath. We are not there yet, perhaps there is time yet still to look after her.
I hope you had a lovely Easter dear friend, Kate x
Dear Kate, I’m thrilled by knowing that that was the image this piece sparked in your mind. During this time writing for the project, I had a deep sense that we always call the Earth a “mother” and a mother that needs to provide and protect. Mother too (and all mothers, parents, and carers), they need to pause and to be in connection with their own child-self. So, what would happen if we think and act as if the Earth was a/our child instead. Would we feed keep doing and taking the same actions? Or, would we think twice and more carefully about our steps? Thank you my dear friend for drawing this project to my attention 🙏
We are golden... Thanks for the really nice poem, Alicia. That line about lithium is cool. I didn't know it was released by supernovas!