Please check out this wonderful poem by Clive James, who inspired the writing of this song: https://archive.clivejames.com/poetry/asma.htm 

Also, the brilliant suitcase diorama shown in the song image is by Mohamad Hafez in collaboration with Ahmed Badr. https://www.unpackedrefugee.com/ 

For the great escape
Did you pack a case
For all your cashmere sweaters
It’s cold up there this time of year

Did you carry them
To the waiting plane
Or were your fingers bleeding
From writing all your pleas for help

Your pretty varnished fingernails
Used to fold up all your chiffon and your lace
But for the rest there’s no escape

How did it end this way
When you promised so much progress
When will you feel their pain
Just a second of their anguish
Governed with iron bars
No rest for the wicked
As you unpack your case
Again

20 years ago
Before the overthrow
The future looked so golden
This girl from London fit for Vogue

The uncovered hair
And the pleasant air
A voice for every woman
But in the end just empty words

Your pretty varnished fingernails
Used to fold up all your chiffon and your lace
But for the rest there’s no escape

How did it end this way
When you promised so much progress
When will you feel their pain
Just a second of their anguish
Governed with iron bars
No rest for the wicked
As you unpack your case
Again

Asma

The Party

I really liked the ideas in this poem by Becky Hemsley which this song is based upon: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/comments/13tfncp/afterparty_a_poem_about_grief_and_love_by_becky/

When grief crashed my party
He had all his old friends in tow
Frustration and anger followed
And sat down beside me

They outstayed their welcome
And talked over every other
But left when they saw you show up
And feared your name was
LOVE

Have we met before tonight?
You look familiar in this brighter light
Now that the party’s over

Why did I not see you here before tonight
Why did I not see you here before 
This very night

She said
I’ve been waiting for the rest
To tire of you and finally take their leave
I was just dressed as
Dressed as 
GRIEF

The Party (Free Download)

The Tinsel Terrier (Free Download)

A song about writing songs on a slow songwriting day.

words & music by Ian Bartholomew/Greg Atkinson

Winter Sun

SmileyDolphins are Greg Atkinson and Ian Bartholomew, a Teesside duo coming together to create original songs and sounds that stem from the subconscious of two people who should know better!

Winter Sun

SmileyDolphins

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