SAIL AWAY

In a different room
Having lifted myself from the mess that I've made
What do I do?
I lay myself down as my memory fades
And try to remember what I have done
But what is the point when that one elusive moment has forever gone?

Misery swells into me
Perhaps I can eventually
Sail away on waves of it
Or fail again in spite of it

In a different room
You pinch at mirrors or test your neck
Then what do you do?
You lay yourself down in your cold, damp bed
And take control of your broken heart
Until you reach the point where you accept that there are waters you will never chart

Misery swells into you
But you know what you must do
Sail against the waves of it
Or fail to find the worth in it

Please sail with me
Please sail with me

One single thud
Won't disturb me up into life
But I believe that I would
Remove the cause of this general strife
If I didn't squirm at the words that I speak
If I truly believed that my one consistent failure does not make me weak

Misery swells into me
Perhaps I can eventually
Sail away on waves of it
Or fail again in spite of it
Misery swells into you
But you know what you must do
Sail against the waves of it
Or fail to find the worth in it

THE BODY SPEAKS IN TONGUES

I can pretend that it's possible
To know each of my needs
To be sure of their exact extent
But the body speaks in tongues

Caught up in my own cross-drifts
Blown wildly off course
I can pretend that it's possible
But the body speaks in tongues

KNEE-DEEP

Here they come, one by one
Wading through the shallows
Each one with a tired smile
Planted there by his fellows
You were ahead of them at one time
You were instead of them to my mind
But you've fallen in to the endless line
That winds its way, occupied

Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep

Around the hill then back again
In for the kill then slack again
The silver pool turns black again
As you illustrate your lack again

Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
You were ahead of them at one time
You were instead of them to my mind
You were ahead of them at one time
You were instead of them to my mind
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep
Knee-deep, Knee-deep

WATER'S WORK

There is no real movement
Temperature is everything
Rising blindly
Through a scale
One body can drip
Onto the other
Be careful
I will do water's work
I will do water's work
I will do water's work
I will do water's work


Words by Lloyd James, © 2003