Paper Wings, Steady Hands

Verse

Kitchen light at six a.m.

Folding your shirt like a paper plane

Suitcase yawns by the front door mat

I'm learning how to hold that

Your coffee ring still on the wood

I trace it slow like I wish I could

Keep this morning under glass

Make the clock stop, make it last

Pre-Chorus

But the sun don't wait for the ones who stay

And the road's already calling your name

So what do I do with these shaking hands

When you're leaving with paper wings

Chorus

Paper wings, steady hands

I'm letting go the way the brave ones can

Fold the hurt into something that flies

Wave until you're a speck in the sky

Paper wings, steady hands

This goodbye's got a hopeful land

I'll count the days like they're stepping stones

Steady hands, paper wings, come home

Verse

Postcard says the mountains turned to gold

You sound different, less scared, less cold

I keep your key on my windowsill

Water the plant you said you'd kill

Pre-Chorus

But the sun don't wait for the ones who stay

And the road is teaching you to be brave

So I press my worry into steady hands

And send you off with paper wings

Chorus

Paper wings, steady hands

I'm letting go the way the brave ones can

Fold the hurt into something that flies

Wave until you're a speck in the sky

Paper wings, steady hands

This goodbye's got a hopeful land

I'll count the days like they're stepping stones

Steady hands, paper wings, come home

Bridge

Maybe leaving's just love with a longer road

Maybe missing you means the seed I sowed

Is growing wild somewhere past this door

I'm not losing you, I'm loving you more

Chorus

Paper wings, steady hands

I'm letting go the way the brave ones can

Fold the hurt into something that flies

Wave until you're a speck in the sky

Paper wings, steady hands

This goodbye's got a hopeful land

I'll count the days like they're stepping stones

Steady hands, paper wings, come home