WXMI

Ipso facto, ex post facto

I spent my whole life trying to be loved
now I know it
but it feels exactly the same

The Day That Actress Died

I understood
“You can’t be left alone”
called your sister
but she didn’t pick up the phone

put your digits to the dial
“Why do they say her name?”

On the day that actress died
the truth was ugly
but I sure tried

Yucatan

When all of the world cries out for the end death, then, cannot be anything but merciful.
It has gotten so bad that it cannot be sad.
And when the meteor slams into the Yucatan again it will have been suicide. And no one will think it wrong.

Crooked Welcome Sign

And bidding you goodbye is a crooked welcome sign
some lazy grunt who dug the hole askew
he wasn’t bored and he wasn’t blind
just didn’t give a shit like you

The Best of Constance Kennedy

clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth
oh the way she counted syllables out
even then she had the anxiety
so she’d fake and feign and lie to me
back then we’d stare at her beautiful maw
back before her father got in trouble with the law
I think she was sad, just looking for a touch
I was around and she didn’t mind me much

That’s how I got to see
got to see the best of Constance Kennedy
witnessed all of her greatest hits
and then she waited on me to split
yeah, she’s waiting

Yeah that’s how I got to see
got to see the best of Constance Kennedy
witnessed all her greatest hits
her adorable conniption fits
yeah, she’s waiting

it was a torrid little fever pitch
a torrid little fever pitch

Good Kid (for Emily)

He’s a good kid
doesn’t drink too much
got his head on straight
never tried intravenous drugs

He’s a good kid
just a little scared of his own skin

but he knows
his love will let you down
yeah he knows
his love will let you down

He’s a good kid
but he knows he’ll let you down

stone to stone till he drowns
He’s a good kid
He’s a good kid.

Roulette

Spent all my quarters just lying to the phone
to hear it’s good to hear me
Years in the desert made me poor and alone
c’mon Saint Christopher heal me

That gold band on your finger you’ve been spinning round and round
I can hear it playing out of tune
I know you’re not the safest bet in town
but I hope that little black ball lands on you

There’s a new chef at the Dunes
I swear I’ll take you someday soon
If my little black ball ever lands on you

Life is red, life is black
but it’s still worth going through
if my little black ball ever lands on you

Refrigerator

Every time I walk down a famous Chicago street
I think of you
and I think that maybe someone is taking a picture
for a postcard
and one of your friends will send you a wish you were here
and I can live on your fridge for a month or two
at least until you move

Song for Kathleen, Number 17

I’m trying not to fall in love with you
I’m trying not to fall in love with you
but you’re little words have pierced me through
you’re little words have pierced me through
that’s why I’m trying not to fall in love with you

I’m trying not to dance all night with you
I’m trying not to dance all night with you
my knees are sore, they’re searching for the door
my knees are sore, they’re searching for the door
but my heels are glued here to the dancefloor

I’m trying not to steal a kiss from you
I’m trying not to steal a kiss from you
but your eyebrows have the perfect arc
your eyebrows have got the perfect arc

And I assume that under that pinstripe powersuit
there’s a 32 year-old VP of Operations
who likes dancing
and the house red wine
apparently

I’m trying not to get attached to you
I’m trying not to get attached to you
your train is leaving for a distant place
but maybe you don’t have to leave come May
maybe you could stay

Nonsense Stories

He used to tell you nonsense stories
as you drifted off to sleep
when you were passing through Onconomowoc
stealing back to the keep
making your way

Oh darlin’
your behavior has been to blame
I don’t condone you
spinning around like a weathervane
he won’t mind if you take some time
to gather your druthers
but it’s a silly cause to leave your lover

He used to tell you nonsense stories
as you drifted off to sleep
when you were drunk as hell in Onconomowoc
and he swept you off your feet
and took you away

He used to tell you nonsense stories
as you drifted off to sleep
whimsical little stories
beautiful little stories