Stopping at the Gate/Take Me For Longing

Don’t choose me because I am faithful

Don’t choose me because I am kind

If your heart settles on me, I’m yours for the taking

But take me for longing or leave me behind

I would be for you a fire and a rainbow

I would be for you an opening door

Time and hard lessons are one kind of wisdom

Try to forget them, or love me no more

Some love echoes a love that is offered

Some love chases a heart out of reach

To witness the imperfect goddess who breathes you

Is the last kind of love that this lifetime can teach

Perhaps it’s this grace-given hour of feet flying

That lets my heart open so fierce and so wide

But good earth, not clouds are the root and foundation

Of the fine sturdy house I will build you inside

Instrumental

I am not asking your heart to believe me

I am not asking for promise or pledge

Whatever the answer, it’s yes that’s the question

And I am the fool dancing over the edge

Don’t choose me because I am faithful

Don’t choose me because I am kind

If your heart settles on me, I’m yours for the taking

But take me for longing or leave me behind

Take me for longing—or leave me behind