Our Obligation
Al Drinkwine – Seattle Chapter
Al invites you to sing this poem —you know the tune!
This land’s not your land, this land’s not my land
From the torch of freedom to the rainbowed islands
From the Arctic Ocean to Key West motion
This land is leased to you and me
The original tenants are oh so right
As Heaven’s Spirit owns all in sight
And Mother Earth knows that all we see
This land is leased to you and me
From heaven’s Landlord, to our circling seashore
We’re tasked with grooming earth’s floor and more
Through unified rhythm and vocal accord
Our gentle actions can produce much more
Inalienable rights once gifted to all
Nowhere mentions constructing a wall
Our obligation is to respect each other
Each and every sister and brother
As sharing hands stretch across blessed lands
Life is rising from watered sands
As the fires of freedom gently warm each heart
It’s our obligation to grant equal starts
For this land’s not your land, this land’s not my land
Our obligation is to understand
Our Landlord’s desire is we aspire
To elevate unity higher and higher
Heaven is guiding as we look and listen
As peaceful waters begin to glisten
The task is ours to nourish all
As we respond to heaven’s call
This land’s not your land, this land’s not my land
From the torch of freedom, to the rainbowed islands
From the Arctic Ocean, to Key West motion
This land is leased to you and me
This land is leased to you and me
NOTE: This article was published in the July/August 2021 issue of Not So Far Afield.