Helping Hands

We dress our children in blue and grey
On Sundays, birthdays, and holidays
And even though we’re not ashamed
The day that we stopped, I was glad
In eager light, I can see a face
You’re shining knives by our fireplace
And even though I’m not afraid
The day that you stop, I’ll be glad
I’ll rest my head on my arms on your back
Even though I know that you are not alone
Even though I’m lost by fields and fire doubts (?)
Ashes land upon my helping hands
My neck and my chest and my thighs
I surrender and swallow and die
I’ll move our bed when you move away
There’s mud and blood on our pillowcase
And even though I’m not ashamed
The day that we stopped, I was glad
You ride to me on the motorway
Your words still set my heart ablaze
But even though I’m not afraid
The day that you stop, I’ll be glad
I’ll rest my head on my arms on your back
Even though I know that you are not alone
Even though I’m lost by fields and fire doubts (?)
Swallows land upon my helping hands
My neck and my chest and my thighs
I surrender and follow and die
Your hands surround me on sunny days
In every house and in any state
And even though I’m not awake
The day that we stop, I’ll be glad
Your arms still lift me on blowy days
By railings, band-stands, and weather vanes
And even though I’m not awake
The day that you stop, I’ll be glad
I’ll rest my head on my arms on your back
Keep falling, I keep falling
From loneliness and grace into the dimmer, bitter morning
I keep crawling, keep crawling
From plank side (?) to ???
From castle park to pallid shores
Why fall asleep when we are all so pleased to see you?
Standing in the doorway with the landing lights around you
Of yellow grass and dirty pebble-dash
On each and on any wall
In chapels, churches, orange halls
You’ve been away, but you were cruel
And, God, we missed you
So, wrap your hands around this cup
And let the water warm you
With buttons right and faces untied
With your belt and your bite
Give your love and give me light