There was a time
I could sleep anywhere­­—
My feet on a chair
My heart in the woods
But love was aloof
Just a beggar for tips
A mime on whose lips
No promises stood

But you can cut me quick
In the light of the shade
With the edge of the green
Of the yard's sharpest blade
When nothing I knew
Was all that it seemed
I still dreamed
Of a love to outlive us
And I still prayed
That this night would outlast us
And redeem some small thing
Far beyond me

Blossoms begin
Like the tip of a spear
Or the curve of a tear
From a soldier who weeps;
Seducing the guard
Of lost years falling by­­—
As flowers to lie
On the dead feigning sleep
But you cut me quick
In the light of the shade
On the edge of the green
Of the yard's dark parade;
When nothing we knew
Was all that it seemed
I still dreamed
Of a love to outlive us
I still prayed
That this night would forgive us
And redeem some small thing
Far beyond me

But you cut me quick
In the light of the shade
On the edge of the green
Of the yard's sharpest blade;
When nothing we knew
Was all that it seemed
I still dreamed
Of a love to outlive us
I still prayed
That this night will convince us
And redeem some small thing
Far beyond me