I came back

I came back

To land my ancestors stole

To the land I have always called home

Where the woods sing wild songs

And my grandfather is buried.

I came back

To crumbling buildings set against

The backdrop of stunning mountains

To fields left fallow and barns left empty

To streets where children go hungry

I came back

To loggers and carpenters living in tents

Camping on the mill sites they used to work

To kids hustling without any jobs

Shooting up in back alleys

I came back

To angry city councils and death threats

And police beating up our children

To baptizing babies stolen by CPS

To burying kids just after their 24^th birthday

I came back

To smiles that could light up a room

And survive dark and filthy jail cells

To sharing food in crowded tents

And laughter around campfires

I came back

To courage that can move mountains

And survive the deepest pain

To flags raised high over razed campsites

And welcome mats that say “Come back with a warrant.”

I came back

I came back for love, I stay for love

I came back for broken hearts

I came back in honor of the courage of

Moms who fight for their children

Kids who say fuck the police in the middle of a beatdown

Poor grandmothers who cook for the community

Young people creating sanctuary in an old church

I came back.