“She held the child and whispered
With calm, calm, ‘belong'” ~R.E.M, Belong

Roots reach down and out,
suck water
from black earth
with a force to move,
like heart moves
thick blood in veins.

There’s more motion in a tree
than once has patience to see.
Held firm by roots, 
branches reaching up and out.
Wants to see over the mountain
once.

Drink more.
Quench generations of thirst.
Let roots grow you wild.
Heart free only in this familiar ground.
“To breathe at the thought of such freedom.”
Belong.