Grace Notes

When I was wandering anywhere I could
Far beyond the riverbank, deeper than the woods
When my naked eye said: I'm gonna find you
The night sky was nothing but stars
When it's all I can manage, despite how I try
When somebody's looking where I like to hide
I remember the Moon while I swim along the bottom
When I trust you, it isn't too hard

When I could give away everything I had
Leave a whole dream in a brown paper bag
When the time went by, it said: Man, that was easy
Like honey was laid in my hand
When I lie to myself, or I'm honest at best
Or sell my whole story till none of it's left
When the Sun goes down like promises matter
When that's something I understand

When the ghost I like to deny
Has haunted me all of my life
Singing all its songs in my corners and cobwebs
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone

When I was being it, whatever it was
So brave or broken, but only just enough
When my self-respect cackled: What were you thinking?
Until it walked off the edge of the world
When I kiss on a stone like they all roll away
Or call upon my demons when I don't want to play
When I think of a cost like light from a diamond
Like freedom, feeling a pearl

When the garden I've watered with tears
Is beautiful this time of year
And all the blossoms fall when their petals get heavy
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone

The ghost you like to deny
Haunts you the rest of your life

When I would say it, though no one was around
Or cry like some children at a carnival clown
Forever was a word like a name in the sidewalk
Or the wind blowing open a door

When I make what I'm missing or claim what I stole
Or live like I'm digging just for filling in a hole
When I lose so much, I just burst into laughter
Like someone who knows what it's for

When the day I pray never comes
Presses me under its thumb
When all this water flows, and every wave makes an ocean
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone