The first time I saw you was by the deep well
Waking the waters within
Stirring them full of your songs and your spells,
And waking my heart as you did.
Rarer than moonrise at morning were you,
Cornflower stars in your eyes,
Soft lashes laden with bright midnight dew
And all of my soul in your sigh.
A charm, a snare, a cantrip,
Binds me at your will,
Strong is the sorcerer
But love, she is stronger still.
I've counted the worlds that spread under your feet,
And the lights of your soul I have traced,
And I've searched in the fog for the answers I seek,
But your secrets are hidden away.
And yet when you plied after secrets from me,
Seeking the path of the great,
Blinded by beauty, I gave you the truth,
And sealed myself into my fate.
A charm, a snare, a cantrip
Set me for the fall;
Wise is the sorcerer,
But love, she makes fools of all.
The last time I saw you, your laughter was dark
And cut like a stone-sharpened sword,
Striking the walls of the prison you built
Where I am to die of your scorn.
And yet as you leave me adrift in my tears,
Trailing the stars at your feet,
I know all your betrayals would melt from my eyes
If you lay your hand on my cheek.
A charm, a snare, a cantrip,
Asunder tears my heart,
And half longs to hate you
But love has the better part.
So all I recall of your fae-glamoured face
Shines with the love of a child,
And that is the look I will take to my grave
As I'm clutching the ghost of your smile.
I could listen to Lauren sing forever. Her writing is vivid and sensitive, sweetly and painfully human--never apologizing for sharp corners and rough edges. The beauty of her spirit shines through. Summer Russell
Singer-songwriter Henry Parker puts his own spin on the classic sounds of '60s and '70s British folk on this wilderness-inspired new LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 9, 2021