Three

I want you happy beautiful and free.
You can have everything you want and more
As long as you don’t say that it’s a chore
To spend your life entirely with me.

I cannot hear the voice of charity.
But sometimes on an empty windswept shore,
Like rusty hinges on a cellar door,
I’ve heard the creakings of self-mockery.

I just can’t bring myself to contemplate
That maybe you are not as you appear
To me. Recently I’ve had pangs of doubt
That if you had your chance to choose your mate
I would not be the one that you’d hold dear.
Don’t speak. Forgive me. I must not find out.

If only you would tell me that you love
Me still. Then I’d pretend I understood
You have to do your thing. Somewhere above
I’ll find the strength to wish you your own good.

Don’t think you can dispense with flattery.
Don’t think I cannot even up the score.
You do not have a shred of generosity.
Can’t you who’s such a liar, tell one more?
It doesn’t cost the earth to keep me sweet
And better far for you than if I’m sour.
You only have to say that when we meet
You cannot live or breathe but for that hour.

You’ll be rewarded more than you can guess
If you will help disguise my callousness.

Violins whisper I adore you
But all I seem to do is bore you
With each step I’m dancing on air
But behind your eyes, you are not there