i made this a couple years ago. at the time, this was a creative breakthrough for me. ive honed my approach since then, but this represents a starting point–a new way forward

providence

Spinning Bottles

A song about the passage of time.

Lyrics:
Look at it all fade away 
We were all raised for play 
I’m not sure that I understand 
What’s even there to say 

We don’t sin the same 
But I feel your pain 
Let the cicadas sing 

Thirteen years ago I was whittling time away 
Time just goes to show how muddle through decay
Over time you know who just comes and who’s to stay 
Hold those people close in dependent phase 

Learn from my mistakes 
Learn in my own way 
Learn from the cicadas  
Buried in the clay 
Teeth of a new dawn  
Keep the birds at bay 
Sing another new song 
Forget danger’s say 
Facing every loss 
Bracing everyday 
No matter the cost 
It be what it may 

And right now I find I’m in an honest place 
And it might seem ridiculous on its face 
And I’d appreciate a bit of honest grace 
But I love you more than I can bear to say 
We’ll be cicadas living every day 
Until experience is just torn away 
From our earthly home into a shallow grave 
Where our songs and memories are bound to stay 

But we might emerge in another way 
Through another other poor little soul to save 
Seeing life anew through another gaze 
With much to prove to another face 
 
Singing what life brings

Cicadas 2011

territory war

With another lover I don’t know about it
Thoughts of any others they’re off in the distance
Face it when the rose grows, aint no stopping it
But you gonna get your toes froze gettin sopping wet

The things that you abet, What passes for regret
Whatever lets smother each other til sunset
Captivate your brother your mother is forfeit
Activated lover, I’m jack in the pulpit
Bread unto your butter you get under my skin 
Life with you, What to do
Existential puzzle I’ve solved but I won’t prove
Don’t know if I love her but know that I want to
Azure sky, Jewels so fine
Here I go again Wasting my time
You don’t waste mine, Faults of all kinds
I’ll atone for them by just closing the damn blinds
Forget my imperfections down deep where the dogs lie
I can finally see that your satin is off white  
Many missed directions are shuttered and disguised
Many missed connections and versions of our lives 
Plenty a little lessons to bring the next time
Leaving an impression so awfully contrite
Painful recollections that tether me like twine
Sharing the night air together when its all quiet

Isn’t everybody enamored by comfort
Lying with a smile call that my surrender
Approaching what you pursue
Then proceed to kneel
Wear a pair of used shoes
Then see how you feel

Ground down into meal, Flatter than a field
Have you had to convince yourself that its all real
You actually do, Theres actual proof
You don’t have to settle if you think I’m obtuse
Dangling a petal in front of a monsoon
Not always nice, Peeks at my mind
It takes two for the loving to requite
Fated pawns, Grazing fawns 
Eaten in a meadow It happens all the time

With another lover well it hasn’t happened yet
Thoughts begin to wander and go on the offense
Face it when the fern turns then you know it’s real
It’s not what you prefer but now here’s the deal

Listen to us move, Needles in a groove
Sing harmoniously out of tune
Care for me partially and I swoon
Then we disagree, and you loom
Calling it an omen, guess you feel it too
Once you dipped your toes in, then you needed proof
Falling in the ocean, I don’t follow you
Now you’re feeling frozen
Whatcha  gonna do
Claim your fief, But you have to leave 
Heavy on the levee between me and you
Plain to see, A tragedy
Falling outta heaven a moment too soon


elmstep

Popular tracks