Ascend and Descend Lyrics

Ascend and descend. Recite
Breathe into darkness the rites

Two sisters within the house
One sits; the other, without
Daylong a duet of light and shade

Ascend and descend
Sun and moon

Hawk, the first, in the dark
In the temple is the sound
Dry ticks mark the time
Setting sun. She’s barren.
Anubis, shrewd are her eyes
Night, scant love not
Lest your fruit become stone

Ascend and descend
The rites of light

And she grows quick with seed
Her labor’s pride, she bears a king
Her sister, virgin to the last
Goes grave-ward with flesh laid waste
Sisters I remember everything
All that you taught in my memory
And as you say we change everyday
Sisters I hate to say it
The veils are lifted and I can see