Mercy

just the wind opened the door
and i found out what i had been frightened for:
she wasn't there
so i lacquered my hair and went looking for her
if only she were looking for me
we’d have finally agreed upon something
but she found a wave on the shore
and it carried her away with a roar

mercy
wait for me
i always thought i’d find you waiting

just the wind carried her
then, just only the wind would bring her back again
this much i knew
so i cuffed up my jeans and held up my shoes
i waded out from the shore
until one mile of water
held me from the floor
i couldn’t wade anymore
then the wind closed the door

mercy
wait for me
i always thought i’d find you waiting


A Suitor

you take so long
all night i cry
argue i’m wrong
argue your rights
my life is yours to keep
i’m buried in your sleep
it’s not even about me
it’s all about how easily
how easily you leave

if i should speak
would your interest in me piqué?
your heart won’t burn
i have tried
you haven’t learned

damn all of your plans
they’ve crumbled in your hands
and even as your faults are shown
i am making my intentions known
i never want for you to be alone

and if i’m wrong
then you should be
with anybody else but me
but if i’m right
you must agree
that i am the only one
worth keeping


S.A.D. Light

be still and know
every empty tree
believes in gravity
swing low, gallows
autumn always hangs
a rope in front of me
no open window
only, try to breathe
dry, forced air
my frightened shadow
knows i only swing so low
then i stay down there

maybe we could move
somewhere always warm
maybe i’m a martyr
maybe it’s an art form
elsewhere in the world
the weather’s always fair
there are no trap door floors
and no one kicks the chair

be still and know
every moonlit night
i am painted white
“five months to go”
only lonely words
for the flightless birds
three feet of old snow
my philosophy
wait and see
my slow overthrow
pour your mercury
over me


In Reverse

before i go to bed
i ask the lord to send
a pillow for my head
and a file for the bars
before i go to sleep
i ask the lord to keep
the water and the bread
from all the prison guards
and as they fall away
in hunger and in thirst
the prisoners will say,
“the walls were in reverse”
and this is what i said
to the angels in the stars,
“bring a pillow for my head
and a file for the bars.”


Landlord

let me in once more
i don’t want to break your bolted door
i will never force you to the floor
i’m the one you always waited for

no one has to know
where you lived before
i will be your landlord
you will be the one that i adore

heaven holds a mansion
you don’t want to waste it
i’m a man of passion
blood you’ve never tasted
i’m the one you’ve always waited for

there’s no better friend, than
one who lays his life down
to wear your crown
(your crooked crown)
there’s no better landlord
no safer town
no nicer home
no sweeter sound
than, “let me in...”


Five

i
i miss the life i left behind
the happy song i couldn't write

i
i never offer any light

never seem to be the one to bring the kind of song you like to sing

maybe this one
maybe this one will be
maybe this one
maybe this one will be


finally, i find
something's right this time
no one knew my mind
offered any light


Matterhorn Drive

i am standing on the overpass
above the northern corridor
as sun sets on 694
i see faces under filthy glass
weaving through the auto war
running from the matador
and the up and coming darkness
is beating you back home
it’s turning down your road
you hope it has the wrong address
and the overwhelming emptiness
is starting to unfold
it’s seeping through the glass
i see it from the overpass
head lights white
back burns red
flee or fight
led foot
led foot led

as sun sets on 694
you always face the other way
and tilt your mirrors to the floor
and focus on the freeway
it’s the freeway


Better Off

no, this is not
unending time
this is
timelessness
could this be the perfect gift?
i am not my favorite person to be with
but who knew heaven would
be holding a better me?
who knew Jesus would
enjoy my company?

i’m better off believing
much better than before
i am.


The Bad Guy
 
when was i a liar
why am i the bad guy
all my best intentions
still you're on the wrong side
right down to the last words i heard,
"save yourself instead."
no one even knew i wanted you
i'd die for you, my friend
to see you at the end

is it too late to fall in love?
did you know i am God and man?
is it too late to fall in love?
did you know i'm your biggest fan?

and as the jealous lover
i keep you in my sight
hiding undercover
haunting you at night
i won't leave you alone
i'll roll away the stone
i hate it when we fight
i want to take you home

is it too late to fall in love....

released november 2002

album credits coming soon