HER VOICE — Verse 1
The bleached bones of the whale lie white as chalk,
warnings carved by tide and time.
And I keep the fire and mend the roof,
counting out the pennies like they’re mine.
The children sleep with bellies warm,
I stitch their seams, I hide my fears,
while the West wind beats upon the door
and shakes the latch like a thief of years.
HIS VOICE — Verse 1
The deck is slick with brine and toil,
my knuckles raw from hauling line.
Every wave a hammer swung
by some old god that isn’t mine.
We chase a price on distant seas,
salt and canvas, sweat and bone—
but the lee shore waits to take us all
back to depths where no name’s known.
SHARED REFRAIN
Oh love, the West wind howls, the sea takes what it will—
the whale bones shine like gravestones on that unforgiving hill.
But hold the hearth, and hold your breath,
for I will fight my way back home—
through bitter winds and broken masts,
I’ll cross the miles of foam.
HER VOICE — Verse 2
I patch the nets you left behind
for leaner months and hungrier days,
I barter fish for flour and soap,
I learn the old wives’ thrifty ways.
The children ask me where you are,
I say “Ashore on distant blue,”
but each night when the candles die
I pray the storm hasn’t taken you.
HIS VOICE — Verse 2
The bosun’s shout, the mainsail tears,
the hull complains like something living.
Men curse their luck, then laugh at death,
there’s nothing left but taking, giving.
And when we pass that whale’s white ribs,
I swear I feel your hand in mine—
as though the sea itself remembers
the warmth we left behind.
SHARED BRIDGE
If ever ship or storm should break me,
promise me you’ll stay—
teach the children how to walk the cliff
and hear the ocean pray.
But if the tides are kind this year,
and lend their mercy free,
I’ll bring the wages of my bones
back home to you and three.
FINAL REFRAIN (Together, stronger)
Oh love, the West wind howls, the sea takes what it will—
the whale bones shine like warning signs on that relentless hill.
But keep the fire, keep the faith,
and I will steer through foam and roar—
for all the storms that haunt my nights
end at your steadfast door.
