“But it is no a matter
of choice; I can live
here only [with you].
I am a part of this
scene; each and all
its properties are
a part of me…”

As it is a part of you
we are both children of
the red earth—grown
into adults—nourished
by its water and clear,
crisp mountain air.

I know now, having
left, that I cannot
truly call any place
home other than
our single rectangle
of red dirt and blue
white-tipped moun’ains.

I can live anywhere
with you, but I now
understand and feel
the connection you
spoke to me when I
proposed leaving
it for a while to you.

We are a part of this
land—it courses through
our veins; you can take
certain plants from their
native soil, and they may
survive, but they will never
thrive; we can only thrive,
flourish, in our Colorado.