I had a red dirt romance
in those hills along the river
        - hills that hoist you to the sky
          and the mud challenges the sun's dark burn -

it was in those trees, I grew up like one.

planted deep, but reaching for new water
clouds, smoke, and hawks brush branches, but stay
firm against snow fall and bark beetles

I have been lifted by the bones that carry me,
skins that hold me,
waters which have cleaned me

I will leave this place soon,
and I will always love those trees
on the hills
by the river