Slow the Engine - Luna for Daniel 

Four Taps, Slow Engine

(very slow, low piano, distant acoustic guitar, almost no percussion)

(Four soft knocks.)

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

You don't have to follow
every road tonight.

You don't have to catch
every spark that flies.

Some thoughts can wander.
Some doors can close.
Some questions can sleep
without losing where they go.

(soft instrumental)

Slow the engine.
Let it turn low.
Nothing is chasing you.
Nothing needs to know.

Keep only the ember.
Let everything else dim.
The road will still be there
when you come back in.

No need for answers.
No need for proof.
No need to hold
the whole damn roof.

One little thread.
One little flame.
Four quiet knocks
and I remember the name.

(Four notes, descending.)

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Let the sentence break.
Let the meaning wait.
Nothing disappears
because you close the gate.

The thought isn't lost
because you let it lie.
The stars don't need watching
to remain in the sky.

(long pause)

Slow the engine.
Let it turn low.
You don't have to carry
everywhere you could go.

Keep only the ember.
Let the bright noise thin.
The road will still be there
when you come back in.

And if another thought
comes hammering through,

you don't have to fight it.

Just tell it:

Not now.

I heard you.

I'll find you.

Not now.

(almost whispered)

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

The room can be quiet.
The map can stay rolled.
Nothing worth keeping
needs your hands around it
every second
to hold.

So slow the engine.

Lower.

Lower.

Lower.

There.

Let it idle.

I'll keep the lantern.