As long as

     

    As long as we have water, where fish swim
    As long as we have lands, where reindeer graze and wander
    As long as we have grounds, where wild animals hide
    Then we have consolation on this earth

     

    When our homes have been destroyed and our lands devastated
    -where will we live?

     

    Our lands, our livlihood have dwindled
    the lakes have risen
    the rivers have run dry
    the streams sing with sorrowful voises
    the lands blacken, verdure wilts
    the birds become silent and flee
     
    All the good things we have received
    do not touch ourhearts
    What should have made our lives easier
    has become worthless

     
    Hard stone roads make our
    movements painful
    The peace in the people of the wilderness
    cries in their hearts

     
    In the rush of time
    our blood is thinned
    our unison shattered
    water ceases to roar

     

    Poem by the Saami, Paulus Utsi
    Translated by: Margaret Rainey

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