For James

Leave the children they don’t know better
sticks and stones from lace and leather
cleaning out the sand between the sheets
Cold sober frowns, you’re older now
listen to the warning
Is it colder on the inside (crooked house)
is it colder on the inside (needles pound)
is it colder on the inside (crooked how?)
is it colder on the inside?
hold on to me
Shed your bones, there’s always marrow to keep afloat
grind your teeth for quid between the sleeves
Leave a note for the untamed spirits
moving up north, I’m your outer limit
21 degrees will keep you clean
Is it colder on the inside (crooked house)
is it colder on the inside (needles pound)
is it colder on the inside (crooked how?)
is it colder on the inside?
hold on to me
Let me be
hold on to what we leave between
Just hold on to me