The Undying Lover

.

There’s a dark crimson stain on my fingers
And a taste copper-clean on my tongue
It glitters like ruby-red beads on my nails
And I stare, wondering where it came from

And I don’t really want to look at you
At your throat where my kiss left its sting
No, I don’t want to know of the change in you now
And how pale my love made your skin

The breeze flows like wine through the window
Naked I rise from the bed
To gaze out as I drink from the river of scent
That caresses me, calling my name

It is rich with a thick crowd of odors
Joy and hunger, sweet pain and despair
I slide into my clothes as my heart starts to race
Nostrils flared as I step towards the door

And I don’t really want to look at you
At the sheets where your life has soaked in
How they’ve tangled like ropes at the curve of your waist
And how pale my love made your skin

Now my boot heels devour the pavement
I stride slow, for the night is still young
In and out of the shadows, with a smile at the thought
Of how small and remote is the dawn

The wind whispers to me of a woman
Breathing soft as she sleeps somewhere near
Oh, I burn at the scent of her innocent flesh
Hidden by the dark waves of her hair

And I don’t really want to remember
This one moment is all I live in
I’d prefer to forget the dead tears in your eyes
And how pale my love made your skin



for jim, and then for alex.


Lyrics © 1991