River Red

AT NIGHT SHE KNOWS HER PLACE
AS THE SMALL RODENTS SCATTER UP HER FLAKEY TRUNK
THE SUN SET LOWERS OVER THE CALM RIVER
WITH HER ROOTS SUBMERGED IN THE COOL WATER,
SHE AWAKES AS HER JOB BEGINS

FOR SHE MUST BECOME THE PROTECTOR OF HER FAUNA
KNOWING THE RISKS OF THE NIGHT AHEAD, HER BRANCHES PATROL.
FAR AND WIDE THEY SEARCH

FOR THIS IS NOT THE HOME OF DESTRUCTION
IT IS THE PLACE WHERE THE RED RIVER GUM LIES