In the hills I know the sounds
of every bird, every deer, every squirrel
I know every twist and turn,
I could drive with my eyes closed.
I know which way the wind whistles
and how the sun feels on my back
I know the smell of pine sap and flowers
you can’t find anywhere else
As the summer air approaches
in my garden, my hands in the soil
I ask myself the question I’ve feared
as I’m about to go
Yes, life is ahead of me,
There’s no turning back now
But how could I ever leave the home
I’ve grown to live, to love, to know.