The signpost sits where the fence parts me from the river that once would of quenched my thirst.

“HERE LOUNGERS LOITER!”

“PRIVATE PROPERTY”

 

As I look through the fence to where I apparently am not allowed to go, a beautiful oak tree sits.

As the oak peers down upon me from the ‘other side’ with its narrowing eye, I sense a feeling of righteousness filter through my bloodline.

The oak is so big that it reaches far and wide in all directions. As I looked up in amazement of this fantastic specimen, a crow flew over to perch on the long reaching branch that was hovering over, past the imaginary line of permission, in a hesitant uncertain manner.

 

“Trespassers keep out! Caw kraa.”

The confident bird was very noisy, making loud crying noises and kept saying the same thing over and over, “trespassers keep out, caw kraa,” while hopping over to one branch and then to the next branch.

“Hey, are you talking to me?” I said to the crow.

“You’re not allowed here, you’re not allowed there! Caw kraa,” the crow said, while jumping onto the branches on the other side.

 

Then the crow jumped far past the imaginary line onto the branch surpassing the fence near to the side of the public right of way. “Apparently, you’re allowed here though, for now, ha ha! Until they change their minds of course! But for now,” the crow laughed.

“Are you making fun Mr. Crow?” I asked.

“Private property is an institution invented by man I believe, nothing to do with us murders, charming name to call us by the way!” the crow replied.

“Yeah, I agree, I don’t quite understand myself why you would use a word that has that kind of connotation for such an intelligent bird like yourself,” I spoke with a frustrated annoyed voice.

“Ha! Well I’m okay, as I got wings so I can get about everywhere regardless to your silly rules!” the crow answered and took flight.

“Hey wait!” I shouted as I see the crow leave.

I stood there in silence looking at the tree and the signpost.

 

I started to walk through the undergrowth looking around trying to find a parting in the fence so that I could get through to reach the riverbank.

“SSSShhhhhhh come this way, I know of a gap.” As I looked down to see a rare sight.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’ve been around for donkeys’ me, I believe you lot call me a pine marten and even a pest, I hear some say. My ancestry goes back way before you lot, thinking you own the place! When the area was full of woodland with plenty to eat. Now all there seems to be is grass. Who eats grass? And where we all supposed to live? Ain’t got no place no more, what about the rest of us, you lot seem to think it all about you. Not very smart you lot are ya!” The pine marten ranted.

“Yeah I know… uh,” I replied before the pine marten butted in again.

“Anyway, I’m pleased to help! As I can see, you look like you’ve been excluded in your highnesses pleasure. Look over there, can you see there a gap in the fence by the Elder tree?”  The pine marten pointed.

“Oh yeah I see thanks” I replied.

“Okay great, was afraid for a minute you were one of the blind ones, anyway must go! This coat catches a fair old price I have you know!” The pine marten said with a cheeky smile while exaggerating his swagger.

“Okay thanks again sweetie” I replied quickly as the pine marten jumped into a prepared hole in the ground and was off.

 

As I reached the gap I looked around and a deep peace came over me as though I was respected by the ground that held me, and I had been granted safe passage.

 

The privatization of land displaces communities, threatens wildlife, and exacerbates social inequalities by concentrating wealth and resources in the hands of a few. Addressing these issues of land privatisation is crucial for discussions around social justice, housing and homelessness and ecological sustainability.