**I Keep the Brim Down** *(the scarecrow’s side — long dark waltz)* I was here before you learned the path Angel on my left, the lost ones underfoot Straw in the collar, stitch across the mouth Hat pulled low so the moon don’t ask too much You came through the gate like the night owed you an answer I didn’t move. I never do. The empty does the work if you stand still long enough And you always stop where the gravel turns to hush I see you seeing me That’s the whole trick I don’t have to reach I just let the brim cut my face in half And you start calling the hollow a man I wasn’t made to hold you I was made to keep the field Now the field is graves and you keep coming back So I keep the mask on And I let you dance You think I hid the dead man to be cruel I hid him so you’d stay If you ever caught the real stare you’d run the fence And I’d be what I am — sticks and twine and nothing that can pray So I tilt it lower when you get too close Let one seam show, then I sew it with the dark You call that mercy. I call it keeping you A little rot, then the shade again That’s the only kindness I’ve got left to do Turn Slow Let the angel watch and say nothing Let the demons sleep and say less You put your hand on stuffing and name it skin I don’t correct you Correction ends the yes I could take it off I won’t Not because I’m kind Because the minute you see what’s under the straw The dance is done and the gate gets used And I don’t want the yard without your circling You say you know You don’t You know the shape I let you keep Dead-man eyes stay covered Hat stays mean and low I wear the scarecrow so you’ll love what isn’t here And blame the night instead of me Hold the measure Pine and stone and your breath pretending this is chosen I stand over the dirt I already belong to You look up like looking could make me warm I am not warm I am the pause between the blessed and the damned I am the face you need because a real one would send you home So I keep the brim down I keep the stitch tight I keep you turning Last circle You lie in the needles like the ground was your idea I don’t follow you down I just remain Mask on, eyes gone, love doing my talking In the yard where the angel and the demons lay I keep the brim down That’s the vow That’s the hook That’s the only way you stay.
