Wild Lands

Dust was drifting ‘round the wheels of her car

In the desert heat looking for mesquite

After bundling it up it wasn’t very far

Until new grass betrayed the spring for which we made.

 

Perched upon the lips of gladness, we arrived.

Upon that thorny branch we set a flame to dance

And on hot coals we fried tortillas when the fire died.

Our sacred evening toke in sweet spirals of smoke.

In turquoise water flashing fish were darting by

Dancing in between the shadow and the light

Cast by mighty trunk reflections of the great trees

Some of them a thousand years wise from what they’d seen.

 

We raised the tent and took a stroll

Along stream’s flow, we were barely clothed

And as the plenty of that place filled my soul

Her breeze whispered, “Love please remember what of mine

You must take home, please take it home.”

 

Listen to it in the heartbeat in your hand

Earthmind urges us to stand

And foment the re-entwining of our wild lands

Peaks afar, depths within. 

 

Mist of ancients settles on a little town

Up in green mountain climbs nestled ‘midst the pines.

Every season scattered across the mossy forest ground

Arrives for weeks in flush a being who teaches us.

 

As we climbed the narrow streets still slick with morning rain

The nodding fronds of plants knew just why we came.

And so they led us to a woman with eyes deep and bright

Who sold us star children wrapped in a banana leaf tight.

 

The children opened up the gates to higher ground,

My mind split asunder, held in awe at the wonder.

And as the night rain drummed a rhythm on our roof of tin

The pulsing waterfalls of wisdom spoke to me, and me, I listened.

 

“Open your heart, take a stroll along earth’s flow.

It’s time you know that you are not separate from the elder soul

And her destruction it must be countered

So keep this sacred promise to her.”

 

Listen to it in the heartbeat in your hand

Earthmind urges us to stand

And foment the re-entwining of our wild lands

Peaks afar, depths within.