Love In the Time of Ecstacy

There’s a crack
In the handle of a coronation cup
That I once brought back
From the study trip in Athens
Where we plated my hair
And I put eyeliner on
Until they stopped in the street
And pointed at me
And I felt only pride
For the first time in my life

There’s a warm warm rain
Upon a hotel balcony
Where we looked out upon
A darkening sea
And the light, and the light
Down on the Mediterranean
Burned like candles in the memory
Of all the things that we mislaid
On our way here

Why did Nirvana ever
Bother to play here
Hey there
I don’t want to stay here

I decree there is a higher plane
Some place of little consequence
That I might see your face again
Before the living and the dead
Are reunited

And this town
This town is killing me now
I can’t believe I waited so long
From the shopping trolleys
On the river bend
To the sound of the bassbins booming

Can I see your face
In this acid light
Of another suburban evening
As I roll my eyes up
To these dirty skies
And count the days
Til I’ll be leaving

I decree there is a higher plane
Some place of little consequence
When I might see your face again
Before the living and the dead
Are reunited

And what is love
What is love in the time of ecstasy
And bare knuckle fighting

Lord, won’t you deliver me
From the wave machine
And the transparent bikini
Like isn’t there some skeleton
On me I should find
That I might vanquish

Please, won’t you listen to me
Your unfaithful servant’s
Filthy fucking language

I decree there is a higher plane
Some place of little consequence
When I might see your face again
Before the living and the dead
Are reunited

And what is love
What is love in the time of ecstasy
And bare knuckle fighting
Don’t tell me that he died for that

Counselor forgive me for I knew not
What I vandalized
Don’t tell me that he died for that

Take me down to the paradise club
Where the girls are drunk and over sized
Don’t tell me that he died for that

And there’s a crack
In the handle of a coronation cup
That I once brought back

I decree there is a higher plane
Some place of little consequence