Tree

Old shady tree you sheltered me
From the day I arrived on the soft hills of Iowa countryside
You watched me grow, you heard me sing
And every year counted with a ring
I watched your leaves change from green to bright barn red and gold
Your majesty was something to behold
Something to behold

Dogwood, ash, sugar maple and me
Twins of gemini, each limb mirroring
With the earth we slept bare-branched through the winter winds
Awakening, sap rising, every spring
Every spring again

Tree, you're part of me
You're the hideout in my backyard
Autumn's pile of leaves
Watch your seeds spinning, spiraling from the sky
Tree we are one, you and I
You and I

Left the land of my birth and I ventured way out west
A gold rush in my head, but love the treasure in my chest
Followed the stars with a guitar nestled close to me
A teacher made of rosewood, spruce, and mahogany

Tree, you're part of me
Avocados, lemons, chestnuts, cherries, tangerines
A stool to sit upon and ponder it all
Under your branches so tall
Towering so tall

Now you're family lies naked, eaten through
Fallen pieces of pines that once grew
Even in their death more gifts do they give
We'll clear 'em out, use their wood, replant their seed
And again watch them live again

The huge old tree that shaded me has been cut down
And all the kids from up the street now have kids of their own
Me I'm still seeking the Singer of Singers' Song
Swaying like branches, breeze in my heart
Blowing me along

Tree, you're part of me
You're the house where I rest my head
Air that I breathe
Pencil and papers to let ideas roam
You give so selflessly with patience
Leading me Home