Holy Branches

When you were young, you'd bite your tongue
Calm, always did what you were told, never ran your mouth
Lived life on tiptoes
Only felt peace if by yourself, when mistakes don't count

There's a hole in your chest from the time that you were born
One that don't get filled
'Cause you've always known, you're nothin' they want

But everybody's bones are just holy branches
Cast from trees to cut patterns into the world
And in time, we find some shelter
Spill our leaves and then sleep in the earth
And when we're there, we'll belong
'Cause the earth don't give a damn if you're lost

Now I live alone
Work in the belly of machines, wring my soot-black hands
And I don't sleep much
Days don't feel much different from the nights with no goals in mind

There's a hole in my chest from the time I walked away
One I fill with sweat
So now I know, I'm nothin' they want

But everybody's bones are just holy branches
Ride the breeze to cut patterns in the leaves
And in time, we find some shelter
Spill our seeds and then wait for our turns
But for now, we're adrift on the waves of disconent
Trying to carve our place
All in hopes we'll be something they want
But I'm not holding my breath

Trace your fingers down my spine
Make your home behind my eyes
Line my skull with harmless lies
I'll bide my time until I'm something they want