Lyric

I Packed the Quiet First

Before the wool and keys

Before the folded sweater

Before the part of me

That wanted one more evening

In the room I used to know

I placed the hush between my hands

And let it come along

I packed the fear beside it

Not hidden, not denied

A small and trembling animal

That would not leave my side

I packed the note I never sent

The breath I almost lost

The courage no one noticed

Because it came so soft

I do not need to be empty

To begin again

I can carry what I carry

And still walk through the rain

Let the bag be heavy

Let the night be long

I am not less ready

For bringing sorrow along

I can leave gently

I can move slow

I can take my shaking heart

Where it needs to go

I packed the morning lightly

A silver thread of sky

A map with softened corners

A coat that still smelled like goodbye

I packed the smallest promise

That I would not turn stone

That even if I wandered

I would not leave myself alone

There is no perfect doorway

There is no fearless start

There is only one more breath

And a hand across the heart

Let the bag be heavy

Let the night be long

I am not less ready

For bringing sorrow along

I can leave gently

I can move slow

I can take my shaking heart

Where it needs to go

If I wake tomorrow

And miss the life I chose to leave

I will not call that failure

I will call it being me

Some doors close softly

Some roads start unclear

But I have made a little room

For both my hope and fear

Let the bag be heavy

Let the night be long

I am not less ready

For bringing sorrow along

I can leave gently

I can move slow

I can take my shaking heart

Where it needs to go