The Woman Who Planted Trees (String Quartet Version)

I can tell my age

By the height of trees

By the years they’ve stood

Growing over me

When I was a girl

You planted seeds

And cast your love

Forever over me

When the land was dry

No food to eat

When the soil was sick

And the river weak

You took a spade

Bare hands, bare feet

And sowed your love

Roots down deep

In the cool, dark shade

Leaves sing your name

Wild green tongues glisten in the glade

Your branches warp, my fingers weft

Weave me through this gift you left

From a prison cell

You dreamt of trees

Blood dried black

Upon your cheek

You didn’t know

Around the world

People listened

People learned

Water returned

Soil healed

Hope restored with every yield

Trees grew high

Bones grew strong

Enough for everyone

In the cool, dark shade

Leaves sing your name

Wild green tongues glisten in the glade

Your branches warp, my fingers weft

Weave me through this gift you left

I can tell my age

By the height of trees

By the years they’ve stood

Growing over me