perfect ten

oh god she was a perfect ten
she took me home
but not to be her friend
that's one night i'm sure
will never ever end

i was somewhere i'd never been
drinking something bitter and brown
when she was suddenly there
asking for the time -
i told her i had a few hours to spare,
she said i was sweet
then played me out the door
with a well-practiced melody,
so effortless and subtle
i would have sworn
it was i who sang

oh god she was a perfect ten
she took me home
but not to be her friend
that's one night i'm sure
will never ever end

the clouds that evening
hung low grey and bright
all around her head
the stars took up
residence in her eyes
and their glare stole my sight
but not before i saw her home
above an old church
with "KARMA" etched above the door
in place of a cross
blind as i was,
she took my hand
and led me along

oh god she was a perfect ten
she took me home
but not to be her friend
that's one night i'm sure
will never ever end

it was not yet dawn
when her sheets were stained
and it was soon after that
when i never knew her name
i never had a chance
like the dozens that came before
but don't get me wrong
she's anything but a whore
she sucked out my life
with our hair all awry
and dragged me out back
for the rodents to find

oh god she was a perfect ten
she took me home
but not to be her friend
she found worth in my heart
and i supplied for her demand
i left a mess when i left
and we made no amends
oh god this night
will never end

no metaphorical heartbreak here
just blood on the linens
and alleyway scavengers
shuffling home
with bellies full

everything matters

oh mother,
i've been away in the world
so long, so long -
what has become of your son?
no more a child to feed,
just a distant wandering worry.
everything matters.

oh father,
i've been fighting the war
so long, so long -
what has become of your son?
no more scraped knees,
just bloodstained shirt cuffs.
everything matters.

oh brother,
we've chosen these separate paths
so long, so long -
what has become of our home?
no more bunk beds,
just miles of lone silence.
everything matters.

oh lover,
i'll remember one night
so long, so long -
what has become of your heart?
no more soft landings,
just gravity and a beautiful view.
everything matters.

it's hard to remember
we will be remembered,
or at least i will remember you.

everything matters.