photo by Cody Edison

This great Redwood has endured generations of warriors
Esalen, Spaniards, Carmelite missionaries and firefighters
yet it stands unscarred among the ashes.
My people were warriors against generations of enemies who are no more
for a land unknown to me,
and I stand unscarred among the ashes.
Our shield bears the white stag, I carry it on this land.
My home now stands unscarred among the ashes
Salvation came with the northbound wind

text by Katherine Edison

–byline