THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

  

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes:

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?"

"KAITIAKITANGA"(Guardianship)

Indigenous (animism)spirit understandings

already equate WHENUA(Earth)with placenta.

They see rivers and forests as TUPUNA(ancestors)

Hence the Whanganui River in New Zealand gained legal personhood in 2017

and both Ecuador and Bolivia both recognize RIGHTS OF NATURE.

Artificial concepts such as Corporations (like the East India Company)

have long held legal personhood.Now the Natural World of rivers and forests,

air,water,earth  and fire-are slowly being accorded equivalence.Philosophically,this started

with Immanuel Kant and Thomas Hobbes,and the rights of domestic animals.

Once they were only seen as property,and damages assessed via losses.

'Personhood" began with two tame captive chimpanzees,Tommy and Kiko,

Kiko being famed for understanding English and using sign language.

HABEAS CORPUS  was the legal doctrine used for this extension of legal capacity.

Whether the Rights of Nature are expressed declaratively or imperatively,

more Nations are using Indigenous concepts to empower clean air and water.

New Zealand and Argentina now recognize the rights of gorillas.

Pantheism and animism combine to defend forests against loggers,

rivers against dams,and preserve fishing rights ancestorally applied.

Even in Austin,Elder Trees are protected by our Tree Ordinance

and Barton Creek water quality preserved against real estate development.

All rights are sustained only by legal appeals and popular demonstrations.

Trees,water and air quality depend upon us.We need new laws -for Wilderness..