Keepsake

I have seen the fingers of the earth reach around
Raze great cities to the ground
Seen those cities built gain
They rose up into the sky
Watched them dissolve before my eyes
Watched buds bloom and burst forth
Fold up into the arms of the night
And return with first light

I have cursed you and all your kin
Felt the distance grow within
I have known your presence come to move me
It caught me by surprise
I knew there and then that you were wise
And all this while I was haunted by your eyes

Here is the keepsake
It will keep safe

I have cheated out of sight and sound
To walk again the barren ground
I have scratched the same soil
And put my back into the toil
Cut through the undergrowth and grass
Hammered out a home, a house
This I keep aside for you
Keep alive inside of you

Here is the keepsake
It will keep safe

I have seen the darkest storm
Rip through the tall trees
And the life that lay within
The earth laid bare, washed clean
Startled cats venture out
Shake the water from their backs
All is new now
All is new
And I feel here
That all is well with you
I have seen the sleeping seedling
Rise up out of the earth’s beating heart
Watched the sunlight shiver, across the creeks swift flight
I have seen the earth stir
And strike out the sun
I have seen the earth at peace
And as one

Here is the keepsake
It will keep safe

You and I suspended between
With rain for the dirt
Of a hundred years
And you whisper to me
Of sleep for the dreams of a hundred more
I have seen in you all this and more
All this and more
All this and more

Here is the keepsake
It will keep safe

Sleep for the dreams of a hundred years
Here is the keepsake
It will keep safe