Verse 1 — Circle, Cross, Return

Spencer:
We circle willow root gallery once
while the badge bell gives one soft ding.

Spencer and Alice:
We cross blackberry arch as the first pair.

Alice and Spencer:
We reverse the lead and cross as the second pair.

Both:
At changed mud kitchen,
the four-part invitation is incomplete.

Clue Exchange — No One Holds All Clues

Spencer:
I hold the bell count:
one ding means begin.

Alice:
I hold the shallow-bowl clue:
one tap means make room.

Both:
The badge holds the flour-leaf mark,
but neither of us holds the whole answer.

Verse 2 — The Invitation Misses Alice

Spencer:
The bell note reaches both route helpers.

Alice:
The bowl tap reaches the mud table.

Spencer:
The flour-leaf mark points toward the guest place.

Alice:
But my place is missing from the invitation.

Both:
We stop before calling the pattern complete.

Chorus — The Broken Pattern

Both:
Ding, tap—ding, tap—
the practiced pattern skips the guest.
Leave one beat open.
Listen before the next sound.

Bridge — Alice Fills the Pause

Spencer:
“Ding, ___, tap—who belongs here?”

Alice, when ready:
“Pause.”

Both:
The pause is not missing.
The pause is Alice’s part.

Both:
New rule:
ding → pause → tap.

Final Verse — An Honest Unfinished Image

Spencer:
I press one bowl curve into the damp mud.

Alice:
I draw one spoon line toward the open place.

Spencer:
I shape half a berry swirl.

Alice:
I leave the last corner open for tomorrow.

Final Chorus

Both:
Ding, pause, tap—
Alice’s place stays in the pattern.
One bowl, one spoon line, half a berry swirl;
the unfinished corner waits for tomorrow.