Broodmother (Hespith's Poem)

[Verse 1]

The Stone that bore us turns its face away;

We count the screams to tell the time of day.

First day, they come and catch everyone.

Second day, they beat us and eat some for meat.

Third day, the men are all gnawed on again.

Fourth day, we wait and fear for our fate.

[Pre-Chorus 1]

No grave to fill. No shroud to sew.

Only the song that grows below.

We beg the dark to let us die;

It sings instead a lullaby.

[Chorus 1]

Brood Mother, hush now, don't you cry;

They will not even let you die.

They made a cradle of your grave

And fed it all you tried to save.

Brood Mother, rock the dark to sleep;

The dead are all it lets you keep.

Your heart still beats. Your body breeds.

The thing that wears you only feeds.

[Verse 2]

We called for Branka till our throats were torn;

The dark replied with something not yet born.

No blood, no bond could turn her heart from stone;

The Anvil called. She left us here alone.

Fifth day, they return and it's another girl's turn.

Sixth day, her screams we hear in our dreams.

Seventh day, she grew as in her mouth they spew.

Eighth day, we hated as she is violated.

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Her lips remember what to say;

The hunger takes the words away.

We used to beg for her to wake;

Now pray there's nothing left to break.

[Chorus 2]

Brood Mother, hush now, don't you cry;

They will not even let you die.

They made a cradle of your grave

And fed it all you tried to save.

Brood Mother, rock the dark to sleep;

The dead are all it lets you keep.

The mouth that begged now only feeds;

The heart they broke still serves their needs.

[Verse 3]

Ninth day, she grins and ... and devours her kin.

Now ...

Now she does feast, as she's become the beast.

They gave her hunger; yours was there before.

She craves their flesh. You always wanted more.

[Bridge]

Branka, I loved you. Now I know

What love is worth so far below.

Your Anvil waits beyond the snare;

Send in her children. Leave them there.

I whisper “Laryn” through my teeth

And feel the answer stir beneath.

Now when I pray, I start to hum;

I hear the thing I will become.

[Pre-Chorus 3]

I'll know their faces when they plead;

I'll know I love them as I feed.

Don't leave enough of me to see

My hands obey what isn't me.

[Final-Chorus]

Brood Mother, hush now, don't you cry;

They will not even let you die.

They made a cradle of your grave

And fed it all you tried to save.

Brood Mother, rock the dark to sleep;

The dead are all it lets you keep.

The mouth that begged now only feeds;

The heart they broke still serves their needs.

Brood Mother, now I know the tune;

The hunger says I'll join you soon.

I count the days. I count to nine.

The next voice in the dark is mine.

[end]