A Home Worth Keeping

Li Li walked beside me through the land our fathers knew, Past the rice-field mirrors under skies of painted blue. We came to find the stories hidden in our family name, But found warm bowls at sunset, and children at their games. A kettle sang by moonlight, a brewer raised a cheer - I crossed the world for legends, Then found the living here. No throne had called me homeward, No banner marked the way. Just laughter through an open door At ending of the day. So let the war come roaring - It will not take this sound: The cups against the table, The feet upon the ground. I came here for my history, But now my choice is clear: A home is worth defending When the ones you love are here. Then smoke climbed past the orchards, iron crossed the plain, Strangers brought their old rage down like unfamiliar rain. Li Li watched the lanterns shake beneath a darkened sky; She asked me if a home can live when peaceful things all die. I set aside my wandering, stood where farmers stood - Not for glory carved in stone, But for ordinary good. For every door left open, For every harvest song, For every small and gentle thing The mighty call too small. So let the war come roaring - It will not take this sound: The cups against the table, The feet upon the ground. I came here for my history, But now my choice is clear: A home is worth defending When the ones you love are here. Li Li, keep your fire bright, But know what fire is for: Not only lighting distant roads, But guarding one warm door. Our blood may lead us to a land, But blood is not enough - We make a homeland when we choose What we refuse to lose. Let all their war come roaring - We will outlast the sound: With cups against the table, And feet upon the ground. We came here for our history, We stayed because it’s dear. A home is worth defending When the ones you love are here. I crossed the world for legends. I found a reason here.