A Riddle-Song (Martha)

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it a thousand times

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it in a billion voices
In a thousand tongues

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it for thousands of years

And no I’m not one of your gods
And no I’m not one of your demons
But I might as well be both
For the way you revere me
The way that you fear me
And the damage I do

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it a thousand times

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it in a billion voices
In a thousand tongues

You think you’ll die without me
I’ve heard it for thousands of years

But here’s the thing
Nobody wants you to know
And here’s the thing
You yourself don’t want to be shown
As long as I’m still around
As long as I thrive
You’ll never be fully alive

Dare I ask you, who am I?
Dare you answer, who am I?
Dare I ask you —
Dare you answer —
Who am I?