The hills continue to call my name
The breeze carries the message
Of my people through time and space
To my weary form deep within
This corrupted city
The whispers keep me awake
Echoing in my mind-over and over
My soul-more and more restless
To be home again-to be whole again
The pain becomes more pronounced
The burn, the ache to smell the pine
The fresh mountain air surrounding me
To see the blue smoke across the ridge
Just knowing it's still a part of me
To feel the cleansing water
Of the Oconaluftee across my feet
Offering peace and renewed healing
As I stand tall in the Boundary
Weary-no more
To walk hand in hand with
My husband and our children
Seeing its wonders through their eyes
A magical place full of heritage, family,
And love---forever our home
Never taken for granted
Even as the years pass us by
Lara Johnson (c) 2007
