Holy Branches

When you were young

You'd bite your tongue

Calm, always did what you were told

Never ran your mouth

Lived life on tiptoes

Only felt peace if by yourself

When mistakes don't count

There's a hole in your chest

From the time that you were born

One that don't get filled

'cause you've always known you're nothin' they want

But everybody's bones are just holy branches

Cast from trees to cut patterns into the world

And in time we find some shelter

Spill our leaves and then sleep in the Earth

And when we're there we'll belong

'cause the Earth don't give a damn if you're lost

Now I live alone

Work in the belly of machines

Wring my soot-black hands

And I don't sleep much

Days don't feel much different

From the nights

With no goals in mind

There's a hole in my chest

From the time I walked away

One I fill with sweat

So now I know I'm nothin' they want

But everybody's bones are just holy branches

Ride the breeze to cut patterns in the leaves

And in time we find some shelter

Spill our seeds and then wait for our turns

But for now we're adraift on the waves of disconent

Trying to carve our place

All in hopes we'll be something they want

But I'm not holding my breath

Trace your fingers down my spine

Make your home behind my eyes

Line my skull with harmless lies

I'll bide my time until I'm something they want