My friend Rusty is as close to a plant mage as I’ve ever met in a human.
She’s always surrounded by happy, thriving plants – in her house, in her garden, in her greenhouses, in her hair. She can recognize every growing thing in the 50-some-odd acres of woods surrounding her house, and even knows the best places to harvest the tastiest kinds of mushrooms. Rusty is the only person I know who has kept Spanish moss alive on a hook in her bathroom for years.
Come the zombie apocalypse, we’re all going out to Rusty’s farm to hole up, confident that she’ll be able to feed and protect us until the worst of it is over.
Meanwhile, I like to think this is the song she sings to make all her daylilies bloom in the spring.
lyrics
I can feel the grass grow through the boots on my feet.
I can hear the land’s age in each tree that I meet.
The flowers rejoice in a dance slow as time.
There is poetry sung in a fern’s sunward climb.
The land’s very heart is revealed through her trees --
In the spring, she weeps emerald; in autumn, she bleeds;
In summer, she casts back the cloak winter lays,
And grows green in the sun through her long summer days.
I dance with the trees as they gnarl and climb,
Take their rough hands in mine as they blossom and twine.
With the trees, I find peace such as no one else knows,
As they whisper their dreams where the forest wind blows.
Oh, teach me to stand strong, but to bend with the breeze;
Teach me the patience that nurtures each leaf.
Like a tree I’d become, and I’d live without strife
In the wisdom of beauty, and greenness, and life.
credits
from Horsetamer,
released April 6, 2013
French Horn: William Caballero
Acoustic Guitars: Dale Cinski
Piano: Michael Moricz
Electric Bass: Jeff Mangone
Violin: Warren Davidson
Cello: Joseph Bishkoff
supported by 12 fans who also own “With the Trees”
Most of Leslie's songs are pretty cool. Purchasing the album on bandcamp gave me the chance of sending her a few bucks for listening to all her stuff on Youtube ;-) alrunia
supported by 11 fans who also own “With the Trees”
During the pandemic, I've been filking online with my parrot, Basil, chirping along from my shoulder. Kanef. suggested that I add Strange Messenger to our repertoire. I hadn't heard it, but when I found you on Bandcamp, I loved it, (and the entire album). And every time I cover Strange Messenger, people are delighted to hear it. Debora VanHeyningen
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2024
More contemplative folk from the Minnesota singer-songwriter, sustained by raw full-band arrangements and philosophical lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 28, 2024