A restless shadow of a fiddler's elbow plays a tune to staggering feet the burden of his songs the looking glass scorns at this disfigured odious face
indeed alone hugging my breast the sun i neglect in darkness i roam
offerings of flowers on a barren grave where my body will lie uncared and unwept
idle bait, my shawl on the lattice someone may see it perhaps look my way no thread of sympathy unites me to man i lay softly down once again
within my aged walls taunts and vexatious fragments of a tune play most mournfully with sadness in my voice i break the solemn stillness my drooping head falls on languid hands
Ancient of days Creator of life from the womb You have formed me my vile sight You love covered by Your shadow held within Your hand made in Your likeness precious am i
the glare of a sinking flame binds me to my clay
indeed alone hugging my breast the sun i neglect in darkness i roam
offerings of flowers i rest in the earth my body will lie uncared and unwept.
14. Anthem
[bonus track]
You shared flesh with me danced with me in the ancient circle of birth life and death but You live again
while autumn leaves fall in the summer of my life it is the millstone around the neck of us all but You wore it like a crown weaving to the shrill that makes cowards of us all but to You it was harmony
You knew shame like no other You tasted death like no other You shed tears like no other man
this incarnation repelled me but threw me to my knees could i be anything but a moth to the flame Your cross compels me You are the breath that gives me life You are mystery You are beauty You are the risen Christ.