“Psalm of the Soil,” by Sarah Kirkland Snider, setting original text by me.

Psalm of the Soil

Under meadow

golden furrow

bones of heroes

the lonely lay

Among maples

sun-struck steeples

hidden circles

ring out our days

In my memory

home eludes me

gone the beauty

of who I’ve been

Gone the duty

blood of family

sky above me

a dome of pain

You who come here

Arrive defeated

Fleeing frightened

You will be safe

You who found this

Land uneasy

Find who you are

In this new place

Hold the newness

lost included

blossoms millions

meadows grain

Across oceans

ghosts will beckon

land will listen

and I will sing