Clay of Yesterday

[Intro: hypnotic piano, rolling 808]

[Verse 1: fluid melodic sing-rap]
I used to be a thousand shapes of clay
Could turn into anything from day to day
Then loving hands and years began to mold
A beautiful creation I could finally hold

[Pre-Chorus: ascending harmonies]
But every curve that found its place
Made other shapes impossible to trace

[Chorus: soaring falsetto, rich chords]
I'm beautiful because the fire changed me
But sometimes I remember being free
Before the kiln, before the final shape
When every life was waiting there for me
[Melodic 808 counterpoint]
I love the vessel I've become
Why do I miss the shapeless one?

[Break: syncopated breakbeat, shimmering keys]

[Bridge: stripped piano, aching melody]
I couldn't hold the water then
I needed fire to make me strong
But all the shapes I might have been
Still feel like somewhere I belong

[Final Hook: layered octave harmonies]
I wouldn't break what I have made
To be the clay of yesterday

[Outro: sustained unresolved chord]
But sometimes I wish
I could turn the wheel again.