NOAH DERKSEN

THE CEDAR

Sometimes the summer comes in strides 
The shining sun abates the need to hide 
Refreshing air soothes a tired sky 
It warms the earth and makes way for evening light 
  
But I told you not to run to me 
I told you that it would be hard to breathe 
  
Sometimes the summer sun beats down 
So harsh upon the living on the ground 
And so the cedar dies inside 
It calls aloud for help with desperate cries 
  
Yet I told you not to run to me 
I told you that you would not want to see 
  
I told you not to run to me 
I told you I would break your fragile heart 
But now I’m left just standing here 
All alone in a room with broken mirrors 
  
I’m forced to reckon with myself 
But there’s nothing left to wreck but love itself 
  
I told you not to run to me 
I told you to be strong with straightened knees 
But still I find I long for you 
Arms stretched like broken branches for you to use 
  
Sometimes the cedar rots away 
Lays bare its chest and gives its final day 
What once stood tall and strong and proud 
Now lays soft and broken on the ground 
  
But still I told you not to run to me 
I told you to go roam, grow tall and free 
But we followed suit like the cedar roots 
And now we too lay humbled; misconstrued 
  
©2016 Noah Derksen (SOCAN/ASCAP). All rights reserved. Lyrics used by permission only.