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 youre part of me youre the hideout in my backyard autumns 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 youre part of me avocados lemons chestnusts cherries tangerines a stool to sit upon and ponder it all under your branches so tall towering so tall now youre family lies naked eaten through fallen pieces of pines that once grew even in their death more gifts do they give well 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 youre part of me youre 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