Tarot · Track 56 · middle
Seven of Swords
RWS: a man tiptoeing away from a camp with five swords bundled in his arms, two left standing behind him, tents and unaware figures in the distance, and he is looking back over his shoulder grinning. Keywords: cunning, theft, the clever plan that leaves something behind, getting away with it — mostly.
No audio yet — generation pending.
Lyrics
[Intro] [Verse 1] The canvas is heavy with dew in the dark, the embers are white in the pit of the spark. They’re sleeping so soundly, they’re breathing so slow, they never considered the math of the go. I gather the iron. I gather the steel. I’m taking exactly the weight I can feel, which is five of the best, with the hilts in a stack, and an ache in the cervical curve of my neck. [Chorus] Five in the arms, two in the earth. I’m stepping so lightly, I’m proving my worth. I look over my shoulder and flash them a grin, a brilliant escape from the trap we were in. I’m a thief in the mist, I’m a ghost in the gray. I’m taking the five, but the two have to stay. [Verse 2] If I carried all seven, the bundle would slip, they’d wake to the clatter, the blood on my lip. If I only took three, I’d be under-equipped for the 4:14 train and the ticket I ripped. So five is the number. It bites at the palm, wrapped up in a sweater to keep the steel warm. It’s a flawless maneuver, a tactical grace, just ignore the cold sweat that is freezing my face. [Chorus] Five in the arms, two in the earth. I’m stepping so lightly, I’m proving my worth. I look over my shoulder and flash them a grin, a brilliant escape from the trap we were in. I’m a thief in the mist, I’m a ghost in the gray. I’m taking the five, but the two have to stay. [Bridge] Why did I leave them the two in the dirt? Planted like crosses, completely absurd? A sliver of guilt? A margin of error? A gift for the friends I am leaving to weather? No, my fingers were full and the metal was cold, and my brain loves a pattern, or so I am told. I wanted them armed when they finally wake. I wanted a chase for the hell of the game. [Chorus] With five in the arms, and two in the earth. I’m stepping so lightly, I’m proving my worth. I look over my shoulder and flash them a grin, a brilliant escape from the trap we were in. I’m a thief in the mist, I’m a ghost in the gray. I’m taking the five, but the two have to stay. [Outro] I’m brilliant. I’m gone. The camp is asleep on the edge of the lawn. Tiptoeing away with the edge on my chest, leaving the two to take care of the rest. I got what I wanted. I got what I need. Except for the two in the dirt... and the bleed.