Gold thread through the silk
Three years and seven days
I stitched the tail and feathers
Only left the eyes
Last stitch stayed in my hand
I counted stitches till the dawn
Three leaves fell outside the window
So I stopped three times
My master said finish it
Then you can let it go
But I left the eyes empty
Made tomorrow a reason to stay
One stitch for tomorrow
The phoenix won't fly away
I count the golden threads
Unravel and start again
One stitch for tomorrow
I leave the eyes to the flame
Once I stitch them it will leave
And never come back to this room
Someone came and said
They wanted to buy my work
They measured the phoenix
Said without eyes it's not done
I didn't say a word
Just wiped the frame again
Golden threads tangled up
As big as my own heart
I don't want to finish
Not that I can't
But after it's finished
I won't have tomorrow
One stitch for tomorrow
This time I hold nothing back
The phoenix burns in the air
I burn in the fire too
One stitch for tomorrow
Outside the tower someone walks
So far so soft
But I know someone is watching
The phoenix eyes
Still empty
