Home Life

When you were a child, you were a tomboy

And your mother laughed at the serious way

That you looked at her

And from your window at night

There were the star's little fires

And the armory lights

You were tracing the lines

Of a globe with your fingers

Cool rivers, white wastes, desert shores

And the forest green and a limitless life

In the breath of each tide

And the bright mountain's rising

Now the boys are away

And such kicks they are having

Slashing away at the forest walls

With their bitter knives

Sparks bloom in their eyes

And they never look tired

Will they never look tired?

On cliffs that tower from the rising seas

Their bonfires glow where a tiger lies

And cleaning their weapons

They laugh at his useless claws, and all

It is a beautiful night to be born to this life

And grind his every bone to powder

Do you remember?

Do you remember?

She carried you down to the edge

Of the dark river, and said

Though the water is wide

You will never grow tired

You are bound to your life

Like a mother and child

You will cling to your life

Like a suckering vine

And like the rest of our kind

You will increase and increase

Past all of our dreaming

Horse without rider

Lungs without breathing

Day without light

Song without singing a song