the battle without

and little tin men fall in a forged line
hear the accord of no and yes
(i can pour it in my head)
they screamed "charge" from the ground
(aprapo ain't the right word darlin')
'cause they dug a hole in the sound
muskets of dirt and faces of lead
burrow they did into the war within
broken shoulders wrapped in turnicate skin
pocket watch smiles chained to torn pants
acrid air stuck in hair their last romance
and a greivance to beg against the impending day
i lost my wife i gave my life you gave no pay
bones dug in dirt you leave me no choice
to bide my frayed minutes until rusted voice
will arise
and infiltrate your very lives:
watch it on your morning train
absorb me in your pouring rain
(i evaporate you, you know)
teeming as your rose gardens sow
my jagged perfume, the ironic joy of change
dab it, your're extravagant, now rearrange
life
as you think you should you feel
(darlin' none of it is real)
because you are just another pawn
as i was in that dawn
letter to a love red on my breast
and you, whoever you are
the shadow of a thought at very best

i went cold
and never even knew your name