Freshly Cooked Rice Beneath the Pines

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The cottage at the mountain's foot still has a lighted window

The wooden pestle knocks awake the autumn night's chill

You set a bowl of newly harvested rice before me

Yet says there is no food at home worthy of serving a guest

[Pre-Chorus]

My empty words have filled my traveling bag

Only your rough hands can hold up the moon

[Chorus]

A bowl of hot rice holds an entire hometown

Teach me to bend my body toward the soil

That light no book can offer

Slowly rising from your palm

A bowl of hot rice carries the greatest weight

I draw out this thank-you as I sing

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]

The stove fire lights the frost upon your brow

Outside, someone is still busy pounding rice with ringing blows

I had hoped to trade a poem for one peaceful night

Now I only want to busy myself adding wood to your fire

[Pre-Chorus]

My empty words have filled my traveling bag

Only your rough hands can hold up the moon

[Chorus]

A bowl of hot rice holds an entire hometown

Teach me to bend my body toward the soil

That light no book can offer

Slowly rising from your palm

A bowl of hot rice carries the greatest weight

I draw out this thank-you as I sing

[Bridge]

I will not turn poverty into a pretty scene

Do not let hardship remain only in the middle of a page

If I can still remember the fragrance of this mouthful of rice

From now on, guard a little more grain for others

[Final Chorus]

A bowl of hot rice holds an entire hometown

Teach me to bend my body toward the soil

That light no book can offer

Slowly rising from your palm

A bowl of hot rice carries the greatest weight

I draw out this thank-you as I sing

[Outro]

At dawn I gently close that window

And carry your kindness far away