Water Keepers

sing it

back sing it back to the

water

I had a lamp that burned an hour

then went dark in my hand

every night I walked back to the fire

to light it once again

now it lights itself at dusk

before I even ask

sing it back to the water

let the water keep the song

sing it back to the water

it was listening all along

the watchman at the gate said no once,

and twice, and three

I set my bag down on the stones I did not climb

the fence

I called across to the one who owns the land

and they walked down and let me in

the river takes the oldest songs

but leaves their names along the bank

hold one close and it stays

carry less and lose nothing

count your breath before you sing

better at the shore than halfway across

some things only your own hand can carry

the last step is yours

you take it,

and the light comes on

sing it back to the water

let the water keep the song sing it back to the water

it was listening all along

now it lights itself at dusk

sing it back sing it back to the water