[ music: John Lombardo/lyric: Natalie Merchant ]



as frail hinges
pivot on a case's door
commemorative
souvenirs from places
containers change
with each occasion

a cellophane encased
display of paper
certificate
to credit years of service
a tool of central enterprises
the early hope
for permanence
the words
the rings
consistency
the social security
a miracle is high tragedy

thought mistaken
for a memory
clear the dust from
smiles in boxes
pass a patterned wall
recall their voices

a local post
will list your friends
in order of
disappearance
the lawn scattered

tins feed birds
a portion baked for
absent guests
and the mass edition icon
God sent comfort
your salvation
but who grants absolution
for sins that
never were committed

tension makes a tangle
of each thought
becomes an inconvenience
sound as it never penetrates
as servile edges
break and
feint

thought mistaken
for a memory
a dress length
assassination
a fractured family tie
another christening

christening
christening
christening

Tell The World 40 Acres There is an Ocean SOOTHE ME Truck Driver Divorce Can't Take It With You Best Friend D??????­a The Power Of Love Triks Of The Trade Celebrated Summer I Know You Rider Saturday's child My Baby You Got It Diarrea Candente Shadows on the Barley Jealous Twin Your Woman Has Just Been Sighted (Ring The Alarm) Dismal Gleams of Desolation Winterlong Lullaby Back on the Breadline Roam

Where the Darkness Always Reigned Amazed Hold On Non Ti Scordar Di Me Outro Opportunity Ira Incensus Cryptik Souls Crew What Is The Light? Tell Your Girl With The Wave Of Your Hand Rid of Me Laughing Stock Last Mango in Paris Your Love Egoism Keisarin Uudet Vaatteet Hello Cruisin' (Lucy And Ramona) Let Me Ride I'm Your Angel Gettin Ready For Love Operator Hurricane Years