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November

from Prodigal by David Wirsig

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lyrics

it was just after dark when the fleet disembarked
to pillage the town and burn bridges
setting sail, waving bye to the few left behind
who didn't feel quite so ambitious
so we sat on your roof trading sips, 80 proof
the night gave way to reminiscing

of a time before everything went awry
when we joined hands and offered our songs to the sky

when we burned
and knew that we were consecrated
in light of all that we'd created
but still the fire slowly faded
over time

so we struggled in vain to explain what had changed
to ascertain what was broken
we could tell it was near but we couldn't quite steer
from the precipice we were approaching
and yeah I knew you were bruised, but my tongue gets confused
I never know quite how to broach it

it feels like something has stolen my speech
and the words are dangling just out of reach

so I turned
to leave you hanging there suspended
cause I was frightened of offending
I closed the door and kept pretending
you were fine

there's a slump in your gait and a shake in your breath
as you make your way home and up the front steps
the screen door squeaks, the kitchen's a mess
cardboard boxes and stale cigarettes

the clock says it's late and you hope he's asleep
you know just where to step so the floor doesn't creak
just don't make a sound, you won't have a repeat
of what's come back around for the last several weeks

the ghost of it hangs like a shadow
heavy and thick
it takes a lot more than you’ve got right now
you’d better run quick

cause you stay up all night and scroll through your texts
for a phrase or exchange that could break through the hex
you drive yourself mad as you look for the clues
to get back what you had, it'd be worth every bruise

but this chaos is home, there’s no turning back now
you've learned to go limp when the rug gets pulled out
just close your eyes and float for awhile
and you won't even flinch when your head hits the tile

be still as you can, count backwards from ten
don't open you mouth or it happens again
pick yourself off the floor when he storms up the stairs
wash a few dishes and say a few prayers

cause all that we gave you were empty refrains
that float with the suds as they circle the drain
so with our hands on our ears and our eyes covered tight
all you could hear was our poisonous advice:

"give it time, it'll get better it'll get better now go
you'll be fine, it'll get better it'll get better now go"

credits

from Prodigal, released October 2, 2020
Violin performed by Libby O'Neil

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David Wirsig New Haven, Connecticut

Over the past ten years, David Wirsig has built a library of releases exploring themes such as religious dogma, life after the apocalypse, and what lies at the bottom of the ocean. His songs have been featured on multiple podcasts and radio programs, including "Welcome to Night Vale" and CBC Radio. ... more

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