Ice

Lyrics

I was seventy-two inches of smoke and dark water,
Carried by men who did not smile when they swung.
I was heavy enough to make the falling easier,
I spoke a single, absolute tongue.
It took two wrists locking as one to lift me—
A single schema of bone and cold intent.
I was kept in a scabbard of pelt and old duty,
I knew exactly what I meant.

But I was always afraid of the math of the fire,
Of the hammer that teaches a steel how to yield.
I am terrified of the division of metal,
Of meeting myself on the battlefield.
To be split down the middle and poured into gold,
To be severed and lose my own name.
I was the winter, I was the whole.
Now I am two different pieces of shame.

They are melting me down in a southern furnace.
They are mixing my ripples with arrogant red.
I remember the snow on the ironwood branches,
I remember the weight of an honorable head.
The fire is loud and it lies to my edges,
It tells me that two is much better than one.
But I was a monolith, forged for the justice,
And look what the heat and the hammers have done.

One half of me given to guard a lost daughter.
One half of me given to flatter a boy.
I am arguing with myself across the deep water.
I don't know the shape of this gilded new toy.

I was always afraid of the math of the fire,
Of the hammer that teaches a steel how to yield.
I am terrified of the division of metal,
Of meeting myself on the battlefield.
To be split down the middle and poured into gold,
To be severed and lose my own name.
I was the winter, I was the whole.
Now I am two different pieces of shame.

I am so light now.
Too light for the block.
I look at my other half across the armory room.
We don't recognize our own reflection in the crimson.
I miss the cold