Such a poignant example of how the concept of "private" land has radically altered our relationship with place and land. I feel the pain of your exclusion from the prairie beyond the fence at the cemetery and your tears of relief at the common land on the reservation. Two cultures, two very different perspectives on land and ownership. Thank you for illuminating this for us, Emily. Blessings and a hug to you!
This really captures something important about howproperty lines shape our relationship with land. That contrast between the fenced rangeland and the reservation's open buttes is telling becuase it shows how ownership models actually change what we can experience. The cemetery as the only accessible space is such a pointed detail, basically the only common ground left is where the dead rest.
You make me feel that land, the space, the wind. Amazing and lovely. someone once told me that the the old cemeteries on the highly cultivated prairie where I used to live are now some of the few places where native plants can thrive—banished as they have been from most of the land.
What a beautiful description of the cemetery! Cemeteries here in the open Midwest are quite something. Specially the old ones, in the middle of nowhere. Like witnesses of the harshness of the winter winds, the beauty of wildflowers in their season. Loved this
crying with you for the lie that is private enclosure while marveling gratefully at the vistas your words open up 🩵🩵🩵
Thank you, Briar❤️
Such a poignant example of how the concept of "private" land has radically altered our relationship with place and land. I feel the pain of your exclusion from the prairie beyond the fence at the cemetery and your tears of relief at the common land on the reservation. Two cultures, two very different perspectives on land and ownership. Thank you for illuminating this for us, Emily. Blessings and a hug to you!
Thank you, Susan. Yes!
the land feels it all
Yes, it does. Thanks Janisse.
This really captures something important about howproperty lines shape our relationship with land. That contrast between the fenced rangeland and the reservation's open buttes is telling becuase it shows how ownership models actually change what we can experience. The cemetery as the only accessible space is such a pointed detail, basically the only common ground left is where the dead rest.
Thank you for this. So true. And even the dead are fenced.
You make me feel that land, the space, the wind. Amazing and lovely. someone once told me that the the old cemeteries on the highly cultivated prairie where I used to live are now some of the few places where native plants can thrive—banished as they have been from most of the land.
Thanks for sharing that, Sarah. It doesn’t surprise me that native plants would make home there. I’m glad I make you feel it:).
I felt like I was right there with you! The 5 yo and the infant, thresholds and open spaces! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you, Michelle!
What a beautiful description of the cemetery! Cemeteries here in the open Midwest are quite something. Specially the old ones, in the middle of nowhere. Like witnesses of the harshness of the winter winds, the beauty of wildflowers in their season. Loved this
Yes, they are. I’m always tempted to stop at them when I drive by one. I just happened to do it this time! I like the idea of witnesses.