the lovers

i hear the lovers next door, creaking and moaning
in these slow nights and these blisterin days
let them be careful, tell them to be careful
so many things could give them away

the way they fall back in the line together
the way that they sometimes just disappear
let them be careful, tell them to be careful
they’re longing so loud, everybody can hear

i’m setting my clocks to the beat of their hearts
i’m marking my days to the look in their eyes
let them be careful, tell them to be careful
to hold onto what’s true and not care for the lies

i can’t stop the churn in my stomach from turning
i can’t stop the weight pressing in on my head
let them be careful, tell them to be careful
i’m hiding under covers from the creak of their bed

now every night as i click off the light
i say a prayer for them both, down on my knees:
“let them be careful, let them be careful,
let them hold on, that’s all I ask, please.”

© 2002 c holford

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