Urushi Prayer

[Verse 1]
This Hagi-yaki bowl is in seven pieces on the bench.
It's Tuesday, just past four, and I can still feel the clench
Of my own damn hands, the sound it made against the floor.
I'm mixing powdered gold with lacquer by the door.

[Pre-Chorus]
And every crack I trace feels like a map I can't quite read.
If I just hold my breath, will this mend the shattered deed?

[Chorus]
'Cause these golden scars ain't promises.
They're just the shape of what hope is
When it breaks apart, right from the start.

[Verse 2]
"The break is part of its new life now," is what you said.
The steam from your green tea was a halo 'round your head.
This urushi smells like patience that I've never really had.
Trying to join the good piece back up with the bad.

[Pre-Chorus]
And every line I trace feels like a fault line in my soul.
If I just hold my breath, can I make this vessel whole?

[Chorus]
'Cause these golden scars ain't promises.
They're just the shape of what hope is
When it breaks apart, right from the start.

[Bridge]
This dust is finer than a whisper on my thumb.
Some things you try to fix just leave you feeling numb.

[Chorus]
These golden scars ain't promises.
They're just the shape of what hope is
When it breaks apart, right from the start.

[Outro]
Just a line of gold.
A story told.