I do not beg. I do not sow. I keep the ledge the living know you stepped into a borrowed blade and made a king a widow, briefly brave I caught you. Warm. Still arguing. A soul with orchard on its breath most cargo weeps. You named a man. I named a price. I sent you back from death **Chorus** Twenty-one then you are mine not crowned, not kind, not full of summer wine I like you living. That is new I like the pulse I put back into you Go home. Go gold. Go kiss his mouth just don’t forget who turned the river south He holds you like a borrowed flame I hold the contract and the dark I sit a blackbird on his bed and count the days aloud for art Companionship. A pretty word for stay, for look, for open, pay I am not cruel when I am fed I am a feast that learned to wait **Chorus** Twenty-one then you are mine the starless hall, the unkind wine say his name. I’ll let you. Twice. Love him loud. I still collect the price Go home. Go gold. Go play at keep you die on schedule. I don’t sleep I could have kept you. Clean. Complete. A quiet thing. A finished vow instead I loaned you to the sun so I could want you here and now Tick. The orchard hears it. So does he. Come when the metal in the dark says *come* I bargained once. I do not bargain twice I only laugh, and take you home **Last chorus** Twenty-one the door, the debt the living bed you haven’t finished yet I am the joke at the end of grace I am the mouth that gave you back your face Go love your king. Go spend your light I’ll have the counted, claimed, unkind night and if you miss me in his arms— good. That was always part of the design.
