wolf willow

you came from a land of snow and ice

of wheat and wonder, prairie skies

barren land, heart attack, hold time

out of the earth, blistering shoots

fumbling branches, singing roots

strong hands, homeland, be mine

and our bodies, harvested for firewood

i guess that we were only born to burn

you grew so fast, you stretched so tall

did you retain what it meant to feel small?

deliverance, inconsequence, we tried

and finally, the winter won

the seasons changed before we could run

oh, silence, stillness knows no sides

and when i die i wish to be laid to rest beneath the seeds

my body's sighs begin to leak this bated breath to silver leaves

we grow we grow we grow we go oh