misty-cool and dim by four pm
banana slugs and dripping boughs
i strayed and left the card game in the tent
betty cash, where are you now?

twigsnap, come suddenly the reckoning
deep scent of petrichor and pine
like some primordial and weary king
a piece of him, forever mine

open your eyes
don’t be afraid
i’m come alive
i believe
i believe
i believe

wet tires whisper on the midnight street
gas station coffee on the curb
should i sing praises for the wild and sweet?
my shaking hands and healing herbs

and i remember when you held my head
each trust as noble as the first
a grainy video, a riverbed
our mystery raw and unrehearsed

open your eyes (i believe i believe i believe i believe i believe)
don’t be afraid (i believe i believe i believe i believe i believe)
i’m come alive (i believe i believe i believe i believe i believe)
i believe
i believe
i believe

where klamath river flows out from bluff creek
there is a cut into the bark
a secret sentinel too old to speak
my face and hand forever marked

out to mcminnville up by sheridan
the night sky hides a furtive glow
you are the one i want with me, my friend
we happy few, we few that know

open your eyes (a thousand redwoods sing into the upper atmosphere)
don’t be afraid (an ancient light that shines out through the foggy wilderness)
i’m come alive (a mothers cradle is the foothills of the mountain range)
i believe
i believe
i believe