Part I.

I barely sleep at night, for I can't dream now that I've lost you
This bed has been made host to thoughts let from a time now past
Of empty arms not empty, but embracing you with all my love
And I still hear you singing me to sleep.

"Into the wind, I'll carry."

Into the wind I'll carry, and place where it may rest
And by this wind I'll pass, my body will transgress
And set to where there's calm and I am found.

"Tremmel."

"I'll stay through the night."

The sorrow for an unborn child that's leased before its birth
The way you startle in the night when you think that I've gone silent
A lonely man from down the hall cries out his late wife's name
I feel that I have shared his pain, although you're here beside me
The weights upon this world are thick like the weights set in my heart
There's not a lot I can do these days to feel so far from dying.
If there's a way you can share your thoughts, I will keep them to my chest
And if there's a way you can take my love, I will give it to you kindly.

"Dear friend, to you."

You place your shoes outside my door
When we lay upon the floor
I have seen that spark before
That's in your eyes, and then you smile
I have broken through, you have broken through
We've been friends so long and I had not seen in you
All that I do now.

"Autumn's rain."

I'll hang your clothes out on the line
And take you close until they dry
The kettle's on, the only sound
With muffled speech from the TV screen
There's a way that you move
When you push away, you sink into me
And there you stay, with eyes half-closed
Drift into sleep and the wind blows
Across your cheeks, redden your nose
Beneath the hill and by the shore
Our kites get caught up in the storm
And here you see my breath release
The way it mixes with the cold
While you are warm, so close to me
My lips are pursed against your cheek
And then you stir, and now you wake
The kettle sings from a dim room
And I won't move before you do
So we stay here...

"Winter ties."

Through December I was cold and you were lonely
You would keep me warm, I let you hold me
By way of train we traveled to and fro
Endless nights spent walking through the snow
When Spring came 'round I let you hold me closer
Believe me, it was more than keeping warm.

"Wolves as gentlemen."

Every man you let into your home was a man I would not leave alone
But you left them with your wife and loved posessions.
These men, they are the kind that try to open up your mind
While good is what they lack, they leave you nothing.
Something you may learn from all the lessons they have offered you
Is, safety is a mask worn by compassion.
These men were only strangers, little boys becoming wolves
Who were dressed as sheep, and preying on your mercy.
It's you who are the victim now, sleep soundly.
It's you who are the victim, god have pity.

"Meat, Two."

I've heard you're sleeping next to strangers now
Pressing their stomachs to your feet
And, yes, there is a warmth that comforts
You will never find it there.

"Be safe, tonight."

Crying, you were hiding
I had found you
We took shelter
I was lying
By your side.

"A quiet distance."

If you'd look back and find me
I'd be hiding among the leaves
And if you'd think back and love me
I'd be by your side again.
If you felt me walk behind you
I understand if you'd not speak
With the silence of the night
Sometimes I'd hear what you would think
So through the blanket and the sheets
I loved you, too.

Excerpt of "A just man."

Like Jean ValJean, I am repentant
Through the pain, you accept and ask me back
Then when I turn again and hurt you
You accept and ask me back.

"Null."

My father passed today
I have had the hands of friends and family
Place upon my back
But I feel nothing.

"How long I've wept, a play."

There's rain on the page, you take place on stage
I read and direct, you act and progress
Lights have pierced the fog, I see you fall
Reminding me of Androcles and the lion.

There are words on your lips, that echo through the hall
Your feet against the floor, stir baroquian beats
Piano notes in vents, sing forth and regress
With tragedy in every parting breath.

"Meat."

Please don’t cry for now, he will not hurt you
Whatever wrong he’s done, I will make right
So, cousin, place your head upon my shoulder
And sleep tonight, the darkness will let go

“If you come around, I’ll be your trouble”
Upon my wrath are morals to withhold
“Whichever hand you raise will be no longer”
I let him know, and do hope this will end.

"Strength among the weak."

With the stubbornness of a child, I have felt your blows
My side is bruised, but I have been the stronger
And while my pride is torn, you stand defeated
And you will learn to hear me when I speak.

"You were smiling and I loved you."

I remember you smiling.
And you smiled with a sparkle.
I was that sparkle because I loved you.
And you loved me, so you were smiling.

"I belong among the sea anemone."

Below the surface, splintered rays have pierced the blue
As I sink into the green, there is warmth surrounding
St. Christopher embraces me and we share the weight
As waves lap overhead.

I remember back to August, the laughter
And sadness that carried through the halls…

"We Work Together, Sometmes."

I'm cold and adjacent, you're complacent and warm
We mix and we match, together we direct
In a body I'm the bones and you're the vital.

"Blows."

There is cold between us, a silent divorce
Between her hips and mine, a stone remorse
I kiss her in brief, for a moment she peaks
Eyelids close and behind them she sinks
Deeper, lower, into the earth.

With cold sweat and shaking, I'm fervent, on fire
Beneath me she is cold, we're two apart.