It’s a long story, probably less
tragic than you think. When
did you fall behind everyone else
in their quest for living? You
could never have it that easy.
It’s not forgiving you’re forgetting, it’s
the remembering you’re trying
to lose. So choose, you’re old
enough, and they were old enough
then when they hurt you, they
knew what they were doing.
Hold your head in your hands with
no shoulder to lean on. But still,
there is hope—your sorrow is 
heard in your unanswered cries.
Driving empty roads in the dead
of the night, you saw the world in the 
stars, and I saw the world in your eyes.
The mountains and the skies, 
and the sun your eyes,
the highways are endless,
and my endless sighs, 
all the light in your eyes,
you are hope.

Close your eyes and pay attention—
gather near your comprehension.
Don’t worry, it will only
make you weary. (Close your eyes,
they look so bleary. Pay attention.) Have
faith in yourself if you’re good at forgetting.
Have faith in others if you’re good
at remembering. And stepping aside, 
where have you been your whole life?
I am only trying to help you be less
lonely. If only, if only you could see.
Close your eyes and pay attention; 
it’s all so heavy you can’t even breathe.
(What a relief.) My breath is steamed and
my eyes have dreamed, and my lips are
frozen. Ascend supreme, ascend your dreams.
I have chosen, I have chosen,
I won’t turn back again. Quiet now,
the wind is whispering.
I don’t say enough,
but I hope you’re listening. 

And if you let your knuckles turn white, 
then let your eyes turn red, and fight. I ate
my heart for breakfast not to feel, and
what right do you have to make me
hungry?

Grab the wheel, and turn.
The mountain ascends, the 
future depends on you. And if the devil stands on
your doorstep, calling you by name—
let him in and give him a drink;
he plays a lonely game. 

And your hands, and your hands
and your spine, and your clandestine
sighs—

And space is so empty (where do you start?)
and you are
so full;
it pulls me apart. 

and in the mountains of your spine, 
                                    I get lost  
       and time is always
          running out
      I would have gone
  anywhere with you              I would have gone
   everywhere         with you
 think, a moment
 for a moment, you must think 
 of me, at least do not forget
      and I will let myself go
the fire is bright, and it sings
      and the trees are whispering,                               
      the stars are glistening,
      my hands are cold, but I feel alive
      and for a moment, everything is fine
      and for a moment, once in a while,
        please
                                       remember me

Speaking in knives, you cut a hole in my chest
            (it’s hollow, it’s empty, it’s lonely at best). 
    Did you ever
    Did you ever play that game in your car
 where the light up ahead is red
    but you think it’ll turn green by the time you get there. 
    It’ll turn green, so you floor it.  
Speaking in bullets, you shot me twice at the start
                    (once in the head, and once in the heart).  
  So you’re speeding, and you’re thinking
  about the weather, and if maybe
         that blue sedan behind you is a cop.
  You really can’t break now.
         Speaking in riddles, you twisted my soul
                    (you shook me to pieces, you took me whole). 
    And if you lived all of your life like this,
    at the brink of death, or at least at the mercy of the law,
    then maybe you wouldn’t care so much.
       It’s only because the light turns green at the final second
       that you’re still here.                              (But you’ll pay.)
    Wait for it, it’ll stay red one day.          
    (And maybe that’s what you wanted.)
              You’re speaking without me, I’m falling apart
                                                  (you’ll be better off far away from my heart).