Words Fail

from Three by Nathaniel Bellows

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lyrics

WORDS FAIL

They love in the way
some tug and tease
the tiger's tail
They love in the way
those sirens sing
at the sight of the sail

And the weight of the world
is a dangerous term
understated given all
we don't know and won't learn
Did you wait for you boy?
Did you pray for that girl?
Are there ways to start over
With none of these words?
Name the ways

They love in the manner made from:
Time will pass us by
They love with a plan in place:
Retreat,
reframe,
retry

Well, maybe it's over
yeah, maybe it's so
but I stated that day
"I'm alive, not alone!"
In the face of the crying
in the place of the rose
I will slake this desire
in and out of these clothes
and go
home

Someday you'll stand
on the side of the censuring sea
and say "All I ever want
is to name a thing"
See, now, but:

Take these words
away from me
Take these words
away from me
from me

They love so sweet
but with strings
And they didn't love me enough
to say: "Someday you'll run from all love
like disease."

Hold me to this,
I told you my wish:
That a quotient's left over
in the ghost of each kiss.
Hold me to you
it's always been true
that the broken, eroded
still hope beyond hope
to be known
to be known
Someday you'll stand
on the side of the censuring sea
and say "All I ever want
I've ever wanted--"
In all the ways you know
may all then this be so;
And all the things you do
then all may this be--

Take these words
away from me
Take these words
away from me--
Oh, what a waste it is
what's that saying?
It's: Silence speaks
It speaks

credits

from Three, released December 11, 2020
Nathaniel Bellows: Acoustic guitar; vocals
Steve Decker: Drums

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about

Nathaniel Bellows New York, New York

Writing, Visual Arts, Music:
www.nathanielbellows.com

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