The Goose and The Commons

“The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
But leaves the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from the goose.

The law demands that we atone
When we take things we do not own
But leaves the lords and ladies fine
Who take things that are yours and mine.

The poor and wretched don’t escape
If they conspire the law to break;
This must be so but they endure
Those who conspire to make the law.

The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
And geese will still a common lack
Till they go and steal it back”

– An anonymous poem from the late 18th century about the privatization of common land.

—

Watercolour and gouache on cold press arches watercolour paper.

8″x10″ Unframed

Ships from Canada.

—

A note about shipping to the United States 
The shipping price includes the 50% tariff that is currently being applied to many Canadian goods, including original artworks that are usually exempt from tariffs and duties. The current shipping regulations require me to prepay the tariff when I ship the work. I am very sorry about this and hope that the situation changes soon.