Two came in from Shittim dust No names spoken, only trust Jericho behind closed gates I took them in—I sealed their fate “Bring them out,” the voices cried “Search the land, expose the lie” I said: they came… then slipped away Gone with the shutting of the gate Up on the roof, the flax laid still Hidden beneath a deeper will We heard Your name, we felt the fear The walls already cracking here We heard the sea was torn in two Kings laid low before You Hearts like wax, they melt instead Fear runs deeper than the dead Tie it—tie it—scarlet thread From my window hanging red Blood for blood, the promise said Stay inside or join the dead Tie it—tie it—don’t let go When the horns begin to blow All I am is marked below Scarlet thread… don’t let it show We heard the stories, whispered low Of drowning kings and undertow No courage left in any land Your God holds dust within His hand Swear to me—my blood, my name Spare my house from coming flame Life for life—the strangers said Keep our secret—keep it dead Tie it—tie it—scarlet thread From my window hanging red Gather all beneath this thread Every living, every breath Stay inside—don’t cross the line Step outside—you’re not mine Blood on your own head in time Scarlet thread—the only sign Three days hidden in the hills Three nights waiting, holding still Waters rise then stand in heaps Dry ground where the river sleeps March in silence—circle round No voice raised, no human sound Seven times the final day Horn and breath will tear away Shout— The walls fall flat Dust and fire— All collapse But in the ruin, marked in red One thin line the silence spared A single thread against the flame Calling out my hidden name Tie it—tie it—scarlet thread From my window hanging red City burning, streets run dead Still the promise holds the thread Tie it—tie it—I remain In the ash, inside the flame Spared by terror, marked by name Scarlet thread… I bear the stain From the wall… I watched it fall… Scarlet… Scarlet…
