They Said

They said pity the living
While you mourned the dead
I told you to give me a moment
So I might clear my head

And I'm not to be trifled with
But don't take me too seriously
Take from me no answers
And give me no pity

I'm a washout and a fluke
Full of platitude
I'll sit here for hours
Swinging like my mood

They said we're going nowhere
So I said watch me run -
Run out of time and grace
No more chances - we're all done

And do you resent me
For opening my lips
For wanting something more
For loosening these grips

Darling, you're getting old
All your joints will start to rust
You're doing it all backwards
And we're dancing in their dust

They said envy the dead
While you rejoiced over life
I said leave me here
So I might shed your strife

And I'll try to make you understand
But you'll just roll your eyes
Do I sound clever yet?
Caught in my web of lies

Make it into something more
Than it's ever been
Take a breath of fresh air
And we'll begin again

Laudanum

It's all so useless

It's all so dry

Thinking I could get through this

Thinking we wouldn't die

It's all going dark

And my blood's running cold

Sinking through life

Doing what we're told

Answers don't matter

Details all fade

Life slowly crushes

Sweet memories we made

Laughter only echoes

Until silence reigns supreme

Fantasies don't transpire 

Privation eats away your dream

Obsequious still

Take my very breath

Really, I don't need it

Only ending in death

Nerves eating me slowly

Acid pouring from my eyes

Ate clear through me

Laudanum raining from their lies

Undergo an exchange 

One heart for another

Get one that doesn't leak so

Take one that doesn't smother

Hold it until it stops beating

 . . . until it all runs dry

Take my very breath, dear

 . . . you know I'll comply