The Worshipful Company of
Lonely Hearts and Losers
Didn't leave the house today
I didn't think it mattered
The world can live without my face
I'll stick around my dusty place
Rip the paintings from the walls
Tawny feathers, broken shells
Relics of a tattered past
It was a blast but time has passed
Now I sit in shabby penance
Here's a truth you need to hear
I'll tell you now so listen, pal
Your face it ain't so special
Didn't leave the house today
Cupboards running empty
Beetroot powder, lemonade
Rations down to world war level
Drop the nukes it's no big deal
Stops me thinking about the time
The time I lost when you declined
To check the date and rendezvous
Waited for you under the sign
Of Whisky Ginger, mistake was mine
Let's face the truth and tell it straight
Your face it ain't so special
If your hero lets you down
Just get yourself another
I'll come back to you another time
Maybe if you're still alive
Let's meet under the passage sign
And dine on stolen bread and wine
And live to see the sun arrive
As lonely hearts and losers
Treehouse
I like days that end on a high note
The wine was fine
A little green
But a welcome distraction
From my lack of action
Your mild question still hangs in the air
Answer eludes me
I’m no help again
With your reasonable query
And credible theory
I've got no answers
but the outlook is fine
Pick your own poison
Your treehouse or mine?
Treehouse timbers
Scattered on the ground
Lack of foresight
Instructions perplexing
Days getting shorter
I’ll invite myself round
I got closer than most
Until the night returned
A midsummer party
With an autumn chill
But your wine was oaked
Too long in the barrel
I've got no answers
But the outlook is fine
Pick your own poison
Your treehouse or mine?
Vibrations are pleasing
Sawtooth and sine
Bring your own bottle
Your treehouse or mine?
Wet Boots
Take your wet boots
Off my brand new rug
Where's your manners
Spit the gum
That's rolling round your mouth
It's mesmerizing
Sweep the snow
You brought in from outside
It's so untidy
Sit up straight
And freshen up your eyes
Have you been crying?
We need to make
Something of today
And you're not helping
We need our lives
To turn around or else
We'll end up swinging
Wash your hands
And comb your wayward hair
You look dishevelled
Polite conversation's
Not so hard
Have you been drinking?
Tumbling snowflakes
Tap against the panes
It's snowing harder
Take your pills
And don't forget to change
Your grim demeanour
Pay attention
Look him in the eye
Don't avoid the questions
Therapy will ease our troubled minds
It's so expensive
Cross your heart
And hope to never die
We'll go together
With any luck
We'll make it until spring
When the flowers burst to life
Cairo
You arrived at ten
But I left at nine
On a flight to Cairo
With no in-flight service
When I returned
you looked much younger
Must have been the wine
And the midnight sermons
Hope it goes right for you
Your candy floss lips
Close enough to lick
Should have stayed in Cairo
In the Cafe de Milo
Peppermint tea
and political chatter
temptations few
Between the heat and the banter
Hope it goes right for you
On an unread bible
Swore you could change
Changed for the worse
Oh, those candy floss lies
Plane leaves at eight
I’ve packed a sandwich or two
It's for the best
You'll just have to make do
Hope it goes right for you
© 2019 Claire Bradshaw