Where the Pale Birds Turn

I found your name beneath the frost Carved in the gate of a fallen town The river carried what we lost While silent towers leaned down You held the last small flame Against the breath of the empty sky I called you by your name But only winter replied Stay with me where the pale birds turn Stay with me while the old worlds burn If this is the edge, then face it near Your hand in mine, your voice in my ear The chapel bell was split in two Its iron mouth could ring no more I crossed the nave to reach for you And found your coat beside the door Beneath the stone Beneath the snow The buried kingdom wakes below Break the seal Unmake the throne Let the dead reclaim their own Stay with me where the pale birds turn Stay with me while the old worlds burn If this is the edge, then face it near Your hand in mine, your voice in my ear I will not crown the silence I will not kneel to night Carry the names we guarded Into the final light No gods above No graves below Only the weight we chose to know Raise the dust Unbar the gate Turn the wheel against its fate Stay with me where the pale birds turn Stay with me while the old worlds burn If this is the edge, then face it near Your hand in mine, your voice in my ear When morning finds the frozen plain Your name will rise through falling rain