Like a tumbleweed
caught
on a chain-link fence
surrounding the lot
where it grew,
I have found to
be humble is to need
what I'm not,
and that pain taught me uncommon sense...
thereby
grounding what has got
me through.

Whatever I thought,
I thought I knew
If I'm freed, I will crumble
and rot, remain sinking
in nonsense that I've misconstrued.

I know I do.

Too young for marriage
too old to stay with mom & dad.
But she hopped a bus following him West
and gave up all she had.

Skinny dipping in the salty sea
Infatuation in a rusty car
Plaid shirts and promises,
he was a thief that stole her heart

He gave her two babies
but she always felt alone,
between those wood paneling walls
his explosive temper was shown.

Beer bottles and ashtrays.
Tumbleweeds and sand.
Black, blue, and purple
painted by his hand.

So weak for so long,
she would cower in fear
Until she saw her children's faces,
filled with confusion and stained from tears

She left with just the clothes on her back
and two babies clinging to her hand
following the sunrise in the East
going home to mom & dad.

Tumble weeds grow fast in spring
Shoot straight up true and green

Turn brown fast in desert's heat
The wind breaks free , gives them feet

Then they roll long , and roll on free
Across the plains and prairies

Just ghosts of life gone by
Of those who have never answered why

All the reasons of love denied
All the times before death it died

Roll **** across the winter's cold
Roll on endlessly bare bones bold

Roll on away from love
Rave on to God above

Let nothing touch your hollow heart
Let nothing change your immortal soul