Altar
Kehlani Lyrics

Fresh white flowers and a new tea light
I am setting up an altar for you, complete with fresh flowers and a new candle, as a way to honor your memory and keep you close.

Nine cups of water, still water
I am offering you nine cups of still water on this altar, symbolizing purity and offering you the chance for a fresh start.

Soon I'll see your face
Even though I miss you terribly, I have faith that I will see you again someday, and that thought brings me comfort.

Don't know why I ever thought you were far away
I realize now that even though you are gone, you are still present in my life, and I feel your spirit with me always.

I shoulda known better
In retrospect, I can see that I didn't appreciate what I had when you were here, and I regret taking you for granted.

If I set a flame and I call your name
Sometimes I light a candle on the altar and say your name, as a way to bridge the gap between this world and the next, and to show that I still care about you deeply.

I'll fix you a plate, we can go to dinner
I imagine what it would be like to have dinner with you again, and I fantasize about what kind of meal we would share, and how much we would talk and laugh.

We can share a meal your way
I want to honor your memory by doing things the way you would have liked them, and by keeping your spirit alive through shared experiences.

And I'll play you the songs that you used to play
Music was always an important part of our relationship, and I want to keep that connection alive by listening to the songs that were meaningful to both of us.

Holding on to things you told me
I cherish the memories of conversations we had, and I keep replaying them in my mind, trying to keep your voice and your wisdom close to me.

Holding on to dreams you showed me
You inspired me in so many ways, and I still hold on to the dreams and aspirations that you encouraged me to pursue, even though you are no longer here to support me.

Holding on to anything from you
I am holding on to every tangible and intangible thing that reminds me of you, including mementos, photos, and memories.

That you've been leaving here
Even though you are gone, you left a mark on this world, and I keep discovering new things that remind me of you, no matter where I go.

Now I believe I swear
Over time, I have come to terms with your absence and have come to believe that you are at peace, wherever you may be, and that thought brings me comfort.

I can smell your perfume
Sometimes I catch a whiff of your fragrance, and it feels like you are right beside me, offering comfort and reassurance.

Picking up your signal like a phone booth
Even though we can no longer communicate in the traditional sense, I sense your presence and feel like you are sending me signals in other ways, like a beacon of light or a ringing phone.

Keeping you alive and I do it 'cause I want to
I am actively working to keep your spirit alive, not just to honor your memory, but because I genuinely believe that you still exist in some form and that you are still a part of my life.

So I put you on the altar
By creating an altar for you, I am offering you a tangible place in my life, a space where I can focus on our connection and feel like you are still present with me.

Stay just a little bit longer, whoa
Even though you are gone, I still yearn for your presence and I wish I had more time with you, even if it's just in the form of memories and tokens of our past.

Laid it out for ya
I have created this altar with care and intention, laying out all the things that remind me of you and that bring me comfort, as a way to pay tribute to your influence on my life.

Thought I felt you before
Sometimes I feel like you are still with me, even though I know that's impossible, and it gives me hope and peace of mind to think that you are watching over me.

But now you're closer
By creating this altar and keeping your memory alive, I feel like you are closer to me than ever, like our souls are entwined in a way that transcends physical proximity.

Closer, whoa
I want to draw you closer to me, to feel your presence and to remember the love and joy we shared, even as I mourn your loss.

Closer, whoa, whoa
By keeping your memory close to me, I feel like I am inviting you into my life in a way that surpasses the boundaries of time and space, and that is a comfort to me in my grief.