Marginalia of Salt and Whey

[Intro]
[Verse]
The vellum is dry
The ink is too dark
I count every curd
And leave a small mark
The 'Monsieur de Bleu'
Is weeping its salt
I hide a small wedge
Deep in the vault
[Pre-Chorus]
A crumb for the mouse
A slice for the soul
I slip past the house
While bells start to toll
[Chorus]
Between the thyme and lavender
We taste the age of stone
A silent, soft commander
We are never quite alone
The rind is thick with history
The center soft and white
Our taxonomy of mystery
In the fading golden light
[Post-Chorus]
Oh the salt
Oh the whey
What the ledger
Won't say
[Verse]
You bring the bread
I bring the knife
This quiet cheese
This quiet life
The 'St. Gall's Gold'
Is blooming in grey
What the abbot don't know
We won't betray
[Pre-Chorus]
Your hands smell of sage
My fingers of wax
We turn every page
While the discipline lacks
[Chorus]
Between the thyme and lavender
We taste the age of stone
A silent, soft commander
We are never quite alone
The rind is thick with history
The center soft and white
Our taxonomy of mystery
In the fading golden light
[Bridge]
Dust on the wood
Salt on your lip
I’d stay if I could
I’d let the ink slip
A hundred years pass
The cellar stays cold
Like dew on the grass
Like velvet and mold
[Hook]
Latin names for lonely things
Underneath the angels' wings
Creamy heart and bitter skin
Where the holy dreams begin
[Verse]
I write in the margin
Of 'Sharp' and of 'Sweet'
But look at the garden
And look at your feet
The taxonomy fails
When the heart is so full
While the heavy wind wails
Through the leather and wool
[Chorus]
Between the thyme and lavender
We taste the age of stone
A silent, soft commander
We are never quite alone
The rind is thick with history
The center soft and white
Our taxonomy of mystery
In the fading golden light
[Post-Chorus]
Oh the salt
Oh the whey
What the ledger
Won't say
[Outro]