On the road, the trail, again
Pouncing from tree to tree
Scarring each trunk with a note
Hoping the words ring true
I notice, on my travels
One tree keeps reappearing
A black gum, quite rare
With gorgeous, drooping branches
Many moons ago, I saw it near a mountain
The one they call "Hanging Rock"
And pledged to climb up, whatever it took
But I'd stumbled, and lost it
I would catch glimpses now and again
But it was always too far away
Besides, you recount the time I spent
In the shade of that bloodwood tree
Why I could not stay, you already know
And all the time I spent wandering alone
Needless to say, I was glad
When I saw the mountain tree once more
This time right near me
And I sat in its shade for hours
I felt completely serene
For the first time in so long
Later it stormed, and I yelled with exultation
Drinking the cool drops of water
Singing triumphantly, O love reign over me!
But peril struck before sun-up
The ground became slick with mud
I could hardly keep my balance
I grabbed onto the tree hard, trembling horribly
Wishing it would save me from the storm
Next morning, the ground had nearly dried
I was partially relieved, but still shaken
Maybe this place wasn't so safe after all
The tree, not prepared to let me stay
Days later, another traveller came by
