mud on my hem… moss in my veil… Altar of Stone… Ancient and cold stands alone outside... "Please Rise for the Bride" I came with flowers dead and white woven through my hair I came with silence in my mouth and moonlight everywhere the willow leaned to kiss my shoulder the reeds began to sigh and something old beneath the water opened up its eyes make me your swamp bride veil me in black tide lay me where the lilies hide and call me home make me your moon wife bone pale and root-bound kiss me where the light dies down and call me home call me home… call me home… the dead tree waited like a witness crooked hands against the sky the water gathered at my ankles cold as vows I could not hide your shadow moved behind the cypress slow as prayer, soft as rot and every life I thought I buried rose to say what I forgot I was not ruined I was ripening I was not cursed I was crowned I was not empty I was opening upon the altar of drowned ground make me your swamp bride veil me in black tide lay me where the lilies hide and call me home make me your moon wife bone pale and root-bound kiss me where the light dies down and call me home call me home… call me home… mud and moon blood and bloom root and bone take me home mud and moon bride and groom root and bone make me your home I wore the mist like bridal lace I wore the dark across my face I gave my name to the crawling vine I gave my breath to the waterline and when the moon looked down at me she did not shine she opened wide! black veil black vow black root take me now white flower Don't save dark mouth wet grave! make me your swamp bride veil me in black tide lay me where the lilies hide and call me home make me your moon wife bone pale and root-bound kiss me where the light dies down and call me home call me home… make me your dark saint crowned in the cattails singing where the dead tree waits and call me home make me your swamp bride as I stand here all alone mostly water, mist, and longing call me home… call me home… call me home… call me home…
