Back to the Line

Clay under my fingernails

Dust across the floor

You watch me turn the heavy wheel

Then ask me what it's for

I break the shape, I start again

The morning's almost gone

But every mark I leave behind

Says I'm still moving on

Don't pull me from the weight, don't soften what it takes

I've got a fire in my hands and a body wide awake

I'm coming back

Back to the weight, back to the fight

If it breaks, I'll build it twice

No, I won't leave it unfinished tonight

You can wash the dust from my skin

But you can't wash the hunger out

I'm coming back to the light

And I'm not turning around

Chocolate tears across the page

Black clouds beneath my thumb

The room is full of ruined forms

But I know what they become

A hammer rings against the stone

The splinters in my shoes

I lose a little of myself each time I choose and choose

Don't pull me from the work, don't tell me when to rest

The doubt can stand outside the door, I'll answer with my best

I'm coming back to the light, back to the way, back to the fight

If it breaks, I'll build it twice

No, I won't leave it unfinished tonight

You can wash the dust from my skin

But you can't wash the hunger out

I'm coming back to the line

And I'm not turning around

When the hands go numb

When the room goes quiet

One more cut, one more turn

One more lesson left to learn

I'm coming back to the light