Breathing Embers

The fire holds for an hour The fire holds for an hour

I looked out the window

Watched the light go long

Only for a moment

And the moment carried on

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Say one word

and it stays warm

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Before the night has worn

Came back to a cold hearth

Ash where the story lay

Had to gather every branch again

Carry the whole forest home to stay

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Say one word

and it stays warm

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Before the night has worn

You can fold the tale

down small

Carry just the gist in hand

Or whisper to the coals

And keep the whole of what you planned

We counted the nights at the water's edge.

Most fires last as long as they promise.

Some fade a little early.

None of them wait for you past the hour.

So if you're coming back,

say so.

And if you're not,

let it go out gently,

and start a new one in the morning.

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Say one word

and it stays warm

Keep the ember,

keep the ember

Before the night has worn

The fire holds for an hour

If you tend it,

it holds for more

The fire holds for an hour

If you tend it,

it holds for more