TONGUE OF THE HOLLOW

Wind don’t move ‘Til I breathe it first Roots don’t drink ‘Til I name the thirst Black soil tongue In the back of my throat Every word Like a hand on a rope You called once Now I answer twice Not your vessel I decide the price Hear it hum Under bone, under skin Not outside It’s always been within I am the tongue of the hollow now Every whisper bends and bows You don’t haunt me, you don’t follow I speak back , I am the hollow Say my name and feel it swallow Every echo I can borrow Not your curse and not your sorrow I am the tongue of the hollow Creek runs slow When I still the ground Ash falls quiet When I make no sound Crosses tilt When I pass them by Every prayer Hangs between my eyes No more pulling No more plea If you’re in me Then you answer me I am the tongue of the hollow now Every whisper bends and bows You don’t haunt me, you don’t follow I speak back , I am the hollow Say my name and feel it swallow Every echo I can borrow Not your curse and not your sorrow I am the tongue of the hollow Who was calling… When I couldn’t hear? Who was breathing… Every hidden fear? Not a ghost Not a sin Not a thing That wore my skin I was always What stepped in No chain No thread No hand No dread No name You gave Still stands In my head I don’t beg I don’t follow I don’t drown In your hollow I don’t break I don’t bend I don’t lose Where I end I am the tongue of the hollow now Every whisper bends and bows You don’t haunt me, you don’t follow I speak back , I am the hollow Say my name and feel it swallow Every echo I can borrow Not your curse and not your sorrow I am the tongue of the hollow Speak once… And the hills go still Speak twice… And they always will