Dave Nealon: Music

Woodswoman

(Dave Nealon)

This is inspired by Beth. She showed me wintergreen and red efts, and sassafras. She played hammered dulcimer and had such a natural aspect in her flatfooting. It was in hiking trails and paddling rivers that we reckoned we'd like to climb life's mountain together.

Woodswoman
Dave Nealon
5/14/00
Lacey Spring, Virginia

It was her grace that charmed me
She walks with the rhythm of the southern storm
Like she belongs in the woods, knows every thorn
Touch me not for nettle sting
Buck and wing dances, hammers on strings
Kick in the creek and drink from the fountain
Singing her songs like High on the Mountain

She woke up this morning with that same long yearning
How do I get there from here?
Realization comes like the sun’s slow dawning
This is it; this is my life
Say it easy; say it nice
Like the river down the center and the bank on each side
It’s not the destination; it’s enjoying the ride

Ref:
Do the kids know what she’s like inside?
Can they hear the music in her mind?
Do they feel her delight in the evening sky?
Do they realize the patience behind her sigh?

Middle:
She’s added a layer or two
Character forms like dribbling sand
Drop to the bottom
Season on season
Trickle by little
Sedimentary rock
We don’t set our foundation till the end of our span

And there are years to come yet, waters still upstream
What kind of trouble will they wash down to flood our dreams?
I’ll shoot the rapids with you, friend
Paddle through the funnel, take it where we can
This kayak carries us and if we spill
We’ll thrill to the chill of the river still