Pink Elephant

Five hundred twenty-one days since I saw you last.

I can't even count the ways that I have made you laugh.

My tucked-in shirt is no surprise. My tuckered face is pure disguise.

The camera's off anyways.

Are you wanting more tonight?

All the passengers arrive. They solved their fighting at the show.

After darkness comes the light, so we're hiding, still, still against the row.

My succession was unjust. My possessions turn to rust.

The cabinet's locked anyways.

Are you wanting more tonight?

Follow. Sneak a look.

Follow. Catch that crook.

Are you wanting more tonight?

- afm

Fire at Crimson Lake

Open casket, burning coals.

All the medals that you won have been sold.

Sure enough we lost the whole.

Our fire was extinguished by the cold.

Open window, broken home.

Are you turning insides out? Are you turning cold yourself?

Sure enough we're left alone.

Take my picture off your shelf.

I am holier without you.

Open meadow, crimson lake.

"Drift away until you see them pearly gates."

Sure enough you will soon wake.

You'll wake up to a fiery grave.

I'll enjoy the world we made without you.

As you dance amongst the flames,

I'll enjoy the world I've made without you.

- afm

The Alex Show - Episode 28

It won't be easy. It won't happen over night, but one day you'll realize that not every man has fire in his heart waiting for your kerosene tears to burn you both down.

- afm

Diamonds Are A Man's Dead End

The traffic lights are colorized.
They tell you when or not to drive.
The children are not looking. The officer is booking
Booking up his handouts and his fines.

So let it go now. Let it show now that you gave up the fight.
On the way out if you have doubts, speed through the red light,
And take the wheel for the first time in your life.

The plastic ring must be tied.
It's been broken several times.
Mistaken for the others, replaced it with another,
But you never noticed my disguise.

So let it go now. Let it show now that you gave up the fight.
On the way out if you have doubts, speed through the red light,
And take the wheel for the first time in your life.

Your face is getting older. My feet are getting colder.
I'd rather warm them up and run, and dodge bullets from dad's gun.
My heart's more like a boulder with feelings I must smolder
Without a flame or sun or the love from someone.

So let me go now. Let it show now that you gave up the fight.
On the way out if you have doubts, speed through the red light,
And take the wheel for the first time in your life.

- afm

These Buildings Won't Be Here Forever

Maybe the Spring will come tomorrow and bring the rain.
Maybe I'll learn to drown my sorrow in the puddles again.
They say clouds don't look as gray when standing from faraway,
But they do. They do.

If a cast-iron lung is breathing water in
Then my little heart has sunk down to the bottom again.
They say sunken hearts resurface, they can't die herein,
But they do. They do.

All the busy streets and hurried feet are running on ice.
The bidders in the coffee shop are naming their price.
No, they don't think twice about it if they lose,
But they do. They do.

In the Fall the leaves will fall
As the trees stand up tall.
In the coming years they'll become souvenirs to the earth.
They'll disappear. You'll forget their worth.

They're now the ground that holds the trees up.
They're now the ground upon which you and I walk on.

Maybe the Spring will come tomorrow and bring the rain.
Maybe I'll learn to drown my sorrow in the puddles again.
They say clouds don't look as gray when you scare them away.
Paint 'em blue. Paint 'em blue.

- afm