My Familiar Stranger
We took some gorgeous pictures yesterday,
I wouldn't give in until I got you to smile
After spoiling so many with your scowls...
Since when did you not smile in photos?
I shuffle through them now and I think,
If I didn't know any better I'd assume
We were having a wonderful time.
You always were
A cunning little actress.
The flash goes off and your normal face returns,
You hate this party, you need to get away.
Despite everything, I still
See through you,
And insist on accompanying you
Though for all the use I am,
I may as well have just danced on.
So in silence we walk,
And in worry I wait;
Just eighteen, yet you need
Two bottles,
Where did you get the money?
And you know I don't drink.
Stumble along to the park,
Oak trees shading your sensitive skin
Though it's already burning.
I look sadly into your face,
Faint concentration as you pour out your poison,
It's only the two of us here.
Empty eyes as you gulp and shudder,
I couldn't have less in common with this girl.
I don't know this obligated embrace,
I don't know the awkward brush of that hand,
I don't know those cold, grey eyes,
Looking anywhere but at me,
Cloudy with no trace of that
Beautiful blue.
I avoid the alcohol
And drink you in instead;
There's no denying that
You're not the girl I fell in love with.
If I met this girl on the street one day,
Would I feel the same?
Or would I pass her by?
As I hold you and mop you up,
Considering the latter,
I realise it doesn't matter.
I don't know who you are,
But even now I'm here to save you.
Let them think it's out of pity,
For I know it's out of love.
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