reg ina sp ektor far

519748-2 ©2009 Sire Records. Made in U.S.A.

TThhee CCaallccuullaattiioonnEEeettBBlluuee LLiippssFFoollddiinngg CChhaaiirrMMaacchhiinneeLLaauugghhiinngg WWiitthhHHuummaann OOff TThhee YYeeaarrTTwwoo BBiirrddssDDaannccee AAnntthheemm OOff TThhee 8800’’ssGGeenniiuuss NNeexxtt DDoooorrWWaalllleettOOnnee MMoorree TTiimmee WWiitthh FFeeeelliinnggMMaann OOff AA TThhoouussaanndd FFaacceessBonus Tracks

TTiimmee iiss aallll aarroouunnddTThhee SSwwoorrdd && tthhee PPeenn

PG 02 PG 03

Produced by Mike Elizondo

Co-produced by regina spektorEngineered by Adam

HawkinsAssistant Engineering by Brent ArrowoodRecorded at Phantom

Studios, Westlake Village, CA

Project Coordination by Jolie LevineVocals, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorBass by M

ike ElizondoDrum

s and Percussion by Matt Cham

berlainM

ixed by Michael H. Brauer

Mixed at Electric Lady Studios, NYC

Mix Assistants and Pro-Tools Engineers: W

ill Hensley and Ryan Gilligan

The Calculation

You went into the kitchen cupboardgot yourself another hourand you gave half of it to meWe sat there looking at the facesof the strangers in the pagestill we knew them mathematicallyThey were in our minds until foreverbut we didn’t mindwe didn’t know better

So we made our own computer out of macaroni piecesand it did our thinking while we lived our livesIt counted up our feelings and divided them up evenand it called that calculation perfect loveDidn’t even know that love was biggerDidn’t even know that love was so, sohey, hey, hey

hey this fi re, it’s burning, burning us up

So we made the hard decisionand we each made an incisionpast our muscles and our bonessaw our hearts were little stones...Pulled them out, they weren’t beatingand we weren’t even bleedingas we lay them on the granite countertopand we beat ‘em up, against each otherwe beat ‘em up, against each otherwe struck them hard against each otherwe struck them so hard, so hard, until they sparked

hey this fi re, it’s burning, burning us up

PG 04 PG 05

Eet He stumbled into faith and thought,God, this is all there isThe pictures in his mind aroseAnd began to breatheAnd all the gods in all the worldsBegan colliding on a backdrop of blue

blue lipsblue veins

He took a step, but then felt tiredHe said, I’ll rest a little whilebut when he tried to walk againhe wasn’t a childand all the people hurried pastreal fast and no one ever smiled

blue lipsblue veinsbluethe color of our planet from far, far away

He stumbled into faith and thought,god, this is all there isThe pictures in his mind aroseand began to breatheAnd no one saw and no one heardthey just followed leadThe pictures in his mind awokeand began to breed

They started off beneath the knowledge treethen they chopped it down to make white picket fencesand marching along the railroad tracksthey smiled real wide for the camera lensesthey made it past the enemy linesjust to become enslaved in the assembly lines

Blue Lips

Produced by Jeff LynneProduced by Jeff LynneEngineered and Mixed by Marc Mann & Steve JayEngineered and Mixed by Marc Mann & Steve JayRecorded at Bungalow Palace Studio, CARecorded at Bungalow Palace Studio, CAVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorBass, Guitar, 12 String Guitar by Jeff LynneBass, Guitar, 12 String Guitar by Jeff LynneOrchestral Programming and Keyboard Orchestral Programming and Keyboard (OB-Xa) by Marc Mann(OB-Xa) by Marc MannShaker by Steve JayShaker by Steve Jay

blue lipsblue veinsblue, the color of our planet from far, far away

blue...the most human color...

blue lipsblue veinsblue, the color of our planet from far, far away

It’s like forgetting the words to your favorite songyou can’t believe ityou were always singing alongit was so easy and the words so sweetyou can’t remember, you try to feel the beateeeeeeeeeeee eet eet eeteeeeeeeeeeee eet eet eet

you spent half of your lifetrying to fall behindyou’re ears in your headphones, to drown out your mindit was so easy and the words so sweetyou can’t rememberyou try to move your feeteeeeeeeeeeee eet eet eeteeeeeeeeeeee eet eet eet

someone’s deciding, whether or not to stealhe opens a windowjust to feel the chillhe hears that outside a small boy just started to crycause it’s his turn, but his brother won’t let him try

It’s like forgetting the words to your favorite songyou can’t believe ityou were always singing alongit was so easy and the words so sweetyou can’t remember, you try to move your feetit was so easy and the words so sweetyou can’t remember, you try to feel the beat

Prod

uced

by M

ike

Elizo

ndo

Prod

uced

by M

ike

Elizo

ndo

Co-p

rodu

ced

by re

gina

spek

tor

Co-p

rodu

ced

by re

gina

spek

tor

Engi

neer

ed b

y Ada

m H

awki

nsEn

gine

ered

by A

dam

Haw

kins

Assi

stan

t Eng

inee

ring

by B

rent

Arr

owoo

dAs

sist

ant E

ngin

eerin

g by

Bre

nt A

rrow

ood

Reco

rded

at P

hant

om S

tudi

os, W

estla

ke V

illag

e, C

A an

d Cl

into

n St

udio

, NYC

, NY

Reco

rded

at P

hant

om S

tudi

os, W

estla

ke V

illag

e, C

A an

d Cl

into

n St

udio

, NYC

, NY

Proj

ect C

oord

inat

ion

by Jo

lie Le

vine

Proj

ect C

oord

inat

ion

by Jo

lie Le

vine

Voca

ls, P

iano

, and

Key

boar

ds b

y reg

ina

spek

tor

Voca

ls, P

iano

, and

Key

boar

ds b

y reg

ina

spek

tor

Bass

by M

ike

Elizo

ndo

Bass

by M

ike

Elizo

ndo

Drum

s by M

att C

ham

berla

inDr

ums b

y Mat

t Cha

mbe

rlain

Fren

ch H

orn

by B

rad

War

naar

Fren

ch H

orn

by B

rad

War

naar

Mix

ed b

y Mic

hael

H. B

raue

rM

ixed

by M

icha

el H

. Bra

uer

Mix

ed a

t Ele

ctric

Lady

Stu

dios

, NYC

Mix

ed a

t Ele

ctric

Lady

Stu

dios

, NYC

Mix

Ass

ista

nts a

nd P

ro-T

ools

Eng

inee

rs: W

ill H

ensl

ey a

nd R

yan

Gilli

gan

Mix

Ass

ista

nts a

nd P

ro-T

ools

Eng

inee

rs: W

ill H

ensl

ey a

nd R

yan

Gilli

gan

PG 06 PG 07

Fold

ing C

hair

my eyes are bifocalmy hands are sept-jointedI live in the futurein my prewar apartmentand I count all my blessingsI have friends in high placesand I’m upgraded dailyall my wires without traces

Hooked into machineI’m hooked into machine

I collect my momentsinto a correspondence with a mightier power who just lacks my perspectivesand who lacks my organicsand who covets my defectsand I’m downloaded dailyI am part of a composite

hooked into machineI’m hooked into machine

Everything’s providedconsummate consumerpart of worldly takingapart from worldly troublesliving in your prewar apartmentsoon to be your post war apartmentand you live in the futureand the future it’s here, it’s brightIt’s now

Produced by Mike ElizondoCo-produced by regina spektorEngineered and mixed by Adam HawkinsAssistant Engineering by Brent ArrowoodRecorded at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA and Clinton Studio, NYC, NYProject Coordination by Jolie LevineVocals, Piano, and David Byrne’s installation “Playing the Building” - regina spektorBass by Mike ElizondoDrums by Matt ChamberlainCello by Yoed NirInstallation Recorded and Engineered by Joe Mendelson and Beck Henderer-PeñaRecorded at The Battery Maritime Building, NYCSpecial thanks to David Byrne and Danielle SpencerMixed by Michael H. BrauerMixed at Electric Lady Studios, NYCMix Assistants and Pro-Tools Engineers: Will Hensley and Ryan Gilligan

Produced by Jeff LynneEngineered and Mixed by Marc Mann and Steve JayRecorded at Bungalow Palace Studio, CAVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorBass and Guitar by Jeff LynneOrchestral Programming by Marc Mann

Come and open up your folding chair next to meMy feet are buried in the sand and there’s a breezeThere’s a shadow, you can’t see my eyesAnd the sea is just a wetter version of the skies

Let’s get a silver bullet trailer and have a baby boyI’ll safety-pin his clothes all cool and you’ll grafi tti up his toysI’ve got a perfect body, though sometimes I forgetI’ve got a perfect body. cause my eyelashes catch my sweatyes, they do, they do

Now I’ve been sitting on this abandoned beach for yearsWaiting for the salty water to cover up my earsBut every time the tide come in to take me homeI get scared, and I’m sitting here alonedreaming of the dolphin song

Maybe one day you will understandI don’t want nothing from you but to sweetly hold your handtill that day just please don’t be so downDon’t make frowns, you silly clown

Just come and open up your folding chair next to meMy feet are buried in the sand and there’s a breezethere’s a shadow, you can’t see my eyesand the sea is just a wetter version of the skies

There’s a shadow, you can’t see my eyes

Machine

PG 08 PG 09

L aughing With

Pro

duce

d by

Jac

knif

e L

eeP

rodu

ced

by J

ackn

ife

Lee

Eng

inee

red

by T

om M

cFal

lE

ngin

eere

d by

Tom

McF

all

Edi

ting

and

Add

itio

nal E

ngin

eeri

ng b

y S

am B

ell

Edi

ting

and

Add

itio

nal E

ngin

eeri

ng b

y S

am B

ell

Rec

orde

d at

Sta

te o

f the

Arc

, Ric

hmon

d, U

KR

ecor

ded

at S

tate

of t

he A

rc, R

ichm

ond,

UK

Voi

ce, P

iano

, and

Str

ing

Arr

ange

men

t by

regi

na s

pekt

orV

oice

, Pia

no, a

nd S

trin

g A

rran

gem

ent b

y re

gina

spe

ktor

Tra

nscr

ibed

by

Sac

ha P

uttn

umT

rans

crib

ed b

y S

acha

Put

tnum

Dru

ms

by D

ave

Pri

ceD

rum

s by

Dav

e P

rice

Vio

lin/

Vio

la b

y S

onia

Sla

nyV

ioli

n/V

iola

by

Son

ia S

lany

Vio

lin

by J

erem

y Is

aac

Vio

lin

by J

erem

y Is

aac

Cel

lo b

y N

icho

las

Hol

land

and

Kat

heri

ne J

enki

nson

Cel

lo b

y N

icho

las

Hol

land

and

Kat

heri

ne J

enki

nson

Mix

ed b

y M

icha

el H

. Bra

uer

Mix

ed b

y M

icha

el H

. Bra

uer

Mix

ed a

t Ele

ctri

c L

ady

Stu

dios

, NY

CM

ixed

at E

lect

ric

Lad

y S

tudi

os, N

YC

Mix

Ass

ista

nts

and

Pro

-Too

ls E

ngin

eers

: Wil

l Hen

sley

and

Rya

n G

illi

gan

Mix

Ass

ista

nts

and

Pro

-Too

ls E

ngin

eers

: Wil

l Hen

sley

and

Rya

n G

illi

gan

no one laughs at god in a hospitalno one laughs at god in a warno one’s laughing at god when they’re starving or freezing, or so very poor

no one laughs at god when the doctor calls after some routine testsno one’s laughing at god when it’s gotten real lateand their kid’s not back from that party yet

no one laughs at god when their airplane starts to uncontrollably shakeno one’s laughing at god when they see the one they love hand in hand with someone elseand they hope that they’re mistakenno one laughs at god when the cops knock on their door and they say “We got some bad news, sir.”no one’s laughing at god when there’s a famine, fi re, or a fl ood

But god could be funnyat a cocktail party, while listening to a good god- themed joke or when the crazies say they hate us and they get so red in the headyou’d think they’re about to chokegod could be funnywhen told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right wayand when presented like a Genie, who does magic like Houdini or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Clausgod can be so hilariousHa- haHa- ha

no one laughs at god in a hospitalno one laughs at god in a warno one’s laughing at god when they’ve lost all they gotand they don’t know what for

no one laughs at godon a day they realize that the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyesno one’s laughing at god when they’re saying their goodbyes

But god could be funnyat a cocktail party, while listening to a good god-themed jokeor when the crazies say they hate us and they get so red in the headyou’d think they’re about to choke

god could be funnywhen told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right wayand when presented like a Genie, who does magic like Houdini or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Clausgod can be so hilarious

no one laughs at god in a hospitalno one laughs at god in a warno one laughs at god in a hospitalno one laughs at god in a warno one’s laughing at god in a hospitalno one’s laughing at god in a warno one’s laughing at god when they’re starving or freezing, or so very poor

no one’s laughing at godno one’s laughing at godno one’s laughing at godwe’re all laughing with god

PG 10 PG 11

Produced by Jacknife LeeEngineered by Tom McFallEditing and Additional Engineering by Sam BellRecorded at State of the Arc, Richmond, UKVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorGuitars, Programming, and Keys by Jacknife LeeDrums and Percussion by Dave Price, regina spektor, and Jacknife LeeTuba by Oren MarshallAdditional Drum Production by David KahneDrum Engineering by Joe BaressiAdditional drums by McKenzie SmithRecorded at SeeSquared Studios, NYCMixed by Michael H. BrauerMixed at Electric Lady Studios, NYCMix Assistants and Pro-Tools Engineers: Will Hensley and Ryan Gilligan

Two B

irds

hello? hello?calling a Karl Projektorinskito the front of the cathedralyou have won, dear sirmay I congratulate you fi rst?oh, what an honor

human, human of the year and you’ve wonhuman, human of the year and you’ve won

why are you so scaredyou stand there shaking in your pewthe icons are whispering to youthey’re just old menlike on the benches in the parkexcept their balding spotsare glistening with gold

human, human of the year and you’ve wonhuman, human of the year and you’ve won

hallelujah, hallelujah

outside the cars are beepingout a song just in your honorand though they do not know itall mankind are now your brothersand thus the cathedral had spokenwishing well to all us sinnersand with a sigh grew silenttill next year’s big human winner

hallelujah, hallelujah

hello? hello?calling a Karl Projektorinskito the front of the cathedralyou have won...

Human Of The Ye ar

Produced and Mixed by David KahneCo-produced by regina spektor

Engineered and Programmed by David KahneRecorded at SeeSquared Studios, NYC

Voice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorAdditional Vocals by Jack Dishel (Only Son)

Drums Engineered by Joe BaressiDrums by McKenzie Smith

Two birds on a wireOne tries to fl y away and the otherWatches him close from that wireHe says he wants to as well but he is a liar

I’ll believe it all there’s nothing I won’t understandI’ll believe it allI won’t let go of your hand

Two birds on a wireone says come onand the other says I’m tiredthe sky’s overcastand I’m sorryone more or one lessno body’s worried

I’ll believe it all there’s nothing I won’t understandI’ll believe it allI won’t let go of your hand

Two birds of a feathersay that they’re always gonna stay togetherBut one’s never going to let go of that wirehe says that he will but he’s just a liarTwo birds on a wireone tries to fl y away and the other Watches him close from that wirehe says he wants to as wellbut he is a liar

two birds on a wireone tries to fl y away and the other

PG 12 PG 13

You are so sweetdancing to that beat

there’s a meat market down the streetthe boys and the girls watch each other eat

You are so sweet, so sweetdancing and moving to that beat, that beat

There’s a meat market down the streetthe boys and girls watch each other eatthe boys and the girls watch each other eatwhen they really just wanna watch each other

sleepthey want to watch, to watch each othersleep, sleep, sleep

you are so sweet(once more)you are so sweet(Solo)

I went walking through this citylike a drunk, but notwith my slip showing a littlelike a drunk, but notand I am one of your peoplebut the cars don’t stopand I am one of your peoplebut the cars don’t stopIt’s been a long time since before I’ve been touchednow I’m getting touched all the timeand it’s only a matter of whomand it’s only a matter of when

an addiction to hands and feet-there’s a meat market down the streetthe boys and girls watch each other eatwhen they really just wanna watch each other sleep

Produced and Mixed by Jacknife LeeProduced and Mixed by Jacknife LeeEngineered by Tom McFallEngineered by Tom McFallEditing and Additional Engineering by Sam BellEditing and Additional Engineering by Sam BellRecorded at State of the Arc, Richmond, UKRecorded at State of the Arc, Richmond, UKVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorBass, Keys, and Programming by Jacknife LeeBass, Keys, and Programming by Jacknife LeeDrums and Percussion by Dave PriceDrums and Percussion by Dave PriceTuba by Oren MarshallTuba by Oren MarshallBeatboxing by Reggie WattsBeatboxing by Reggie WattsAdditional Recording at Gramercy Post, NYC,Additional Recording at Gramercy Post, NYC,Engineered by Beck Henderer-PeñaEngineered by Beck Henderer-Peña

an addiction to hands and feet-there’s a meat market down the streetthe boys and girls watch each other eatwhen they really just wanna watch each other

sleepthey want to watch, to watch each othersleep, sleep, sleep...

some said the local lake had been enchantedothers said it must have been the weatherthe neighbors were trying to keep it quietbut I swear that I could hear the laughterso they jokingly nicknamed it the porridge cause overnight that lake had turned as thick as butterbut the local kids would still go swimming, drinking saying that to them it doesn’t matter

if you just hold in your breath till you come back up in fullhold in your breath, till you thought it through, you fool

the genius next door was bussing tableswiping clean the ketchup bottle labelsgetting high and mumbling German fablesdidn’t care as long as he was ableto strip his clothes off by the dumpsterat night while everyone was sleepingand wade midway into that porridgejust him and the secret he was keeping if you just hold in your breath till you come back up in fullhold in your breath, till you thought it through, you foolish child

in the morning, the fi lm crews start arrivingwith donuts, coffee and reportersthe kids were waking up hung-overthe neighbors were starting up their carsthe garbage men were emptying the dumpstersatheists were praying full of sarcasmand the genius next door was sleepingdreaming that the antidote is orgasm

if you just hold in your breath till you come back up in fullhold in your breath, till you thought it through you foolish child

Dance Anthem Of The 80’s

Produced by J

eff Lynne

Produced by J

eff Lynne

Engineered and M

ixed by Marc M

ann and Steve J

ayE

ngineered and Mixed by M

arc Mann and S

teve Jay

Recorded at B

ungalow P

alace Studio, C

AR

ecorded at Bungalow

Palace S

tudio, CA

Voice, P

iano, and Keyboards by regina spektor

Voice, P

iano, and Keyboards by regina spektor

Bass, G

uitar, and Background V

ocals by Jeff L

ynneB

ass, Guitar, and B

ackground Vocals by J

eff Lynne

Orchestral P

rogramm

ing by Marc M

annO

rchestral Program

ming by M

arc Mann

Genius Next Door

PG 14 PG 15

Wallet

I found a walletI found a walletinside were pictures of your small familyyou were so youngyour hair dark brownyou had been born in nineteen fi fty-three

Your winter birthdaywas stamped on the plasticof a license, so recently expiredI was so tired as I walked through my doorI laid all the contents of your wallet on the fl oor

And like a holy relicOr a mystery novelI thumbed them in the dim lightsearching for a clueA blockbuster cardAn old stick of juicy fruitA crumpled receiptfrom a pair of leather boots

I have no walletI have no walletI keep my cards together with a blue rubber bandand with a free handI search in my pocketsfor pieces of pieces of paper and change

I’ll take your walletto my local blockbusterthey’ll fi nd your numberin their computeryou’ll never know meI’ll never know youbut you’ll be so happywhen they call you up

Produced b

y J

eff L

ynne

Engin

eered a

nd M

ixed b

y M

arc M

ann a

nd S

teve J

ay

Recorded a

t Bungalo

w P

ala

ce S

tudio

, CA

Voic

e a

nd P

iano b

y r

egin

a s

pekto

rBass a

nd K

eyboard (O

B-X

a) b

y J

eff L

ynne

Orchestr

al P

rogrammin

g b

y M

arc M

ann

your stitches are all outbut your scars are healing wrongand the helium balloon inside your room has come undoneand it’s pushing up at the ceilingand the fl ickering lightsit cannot get beyond

oh, everyone takes turnsnow it’s yours to play the partand they’re sitting all around youholding copies of your chartand the misery inside their eyes is synchronized and refl ecting it to yours

Hold onOne more time with feelingTry it againBreathing’s just a rhythmSay it in your mind until you know that the words are rightThis is why we fi ght

you thought by now you’d beso much better than you areyou thought by now they’d seethat you have come so far

and the pride inside their eyeswould synchronize into a love you’ve never knownso much more than you’ve been shown

Hold onOne more time with feelingTry it againBreathing’s just a rhythmSay it in your mind until you know that the words are rightThis is why we fi ght

One More Time With Feeling

Produced and Mixed by David KahneCo-produced by regina spektorEngineered and Programmed by David KahneRecorded at SeeSquared Studios, NYCVoice, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorDrums Engineered by Joe BaressiDrums by McKenzie Smith

PG 16 PG 17

Man Of A Thousand Faces Time is all

around

Produced by Mike ElizondoProduced by Mike ElizondoCo-produced by regina spektorCo-produced by regina spektorEngineered and Mixed by Adam HawkinsEngineered and Mixed by Adam HawkinsAssistant Engineering by Brent ArrowoodAssistant Engineering by Brent ArrowoodRecorded at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA and Clinton Recorded at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA and Clinton Studio, NYC, NYStudio, NYC, NYMixed at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CAMixed at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CAProject Coordination by Jolie LevineProject Coordination by Jolie LevineVocals and Piano by regina spektorVocals and Piano by regina spektorBass and Guitars by Mike ElizondoBass and Guitars by Mike ElizondoDrums by Matt ChamberlainDrums by Matt ChamberlainFrench Horn by Brad WarnaarFrench Horn by Brad Warnaar

Produced by Mike ElizondoProduced by Mike ElizondoCo-produced by regina spektorCo-produced by regina spektor

Engineered and Mixed by Adam HawkinsEngineered and Mixed by Adam HawkinsAssistant Engineering by Brent ArrowoodAssistant Engineering by Brent Arrowood

Recorded at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA and Recorded at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CA and Clinton Studio, NYC, NYClinton Studio, NYC, NY

Mixed at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CAMixed at Phantom Studios, Westlake Village, CAProject Coordination by Jolie LevineProject Coordination by Jolie Levine

Vocals, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorVocals, Piano, and Keyboards by regina spektorUpright Bass by Mike ElizondoUpright Bass by Mike Elizondo

Drums and Percussion by Matt ChamberlainDrums and Percussion by Matt ChamberlainCello by Yoed NirCello by Yoed Nir

Time is all around except inside my clockeverybody’s waiting for their lover to unlock

You step on all my partsand then you walk right out the doorAnd I know that your love ain’t ever coming back no more

Leaves become most beautifulwhen they’re about to diewhen they’re about to fall from treeswhen they’re about to dry up

Time is all aroundtime is all around

I hallucinatea cat between my feetI’m stepping lightly so as not to hurt itEverybody’s wants to say that you have changedof course you’ve changed, you’ve changedYou’ve changed, your minds been rearranged

But leaves become most beautiful when they’re about to dieWhen they’re about to fall from treeswhen they’re about to dry up

Time is all aroundtime is all around

Why am I supposed to loveif I don’t want to loveWhy am I supposed to I’m so tiredWhy am I supposed to loveif I don’t want to loveI don’t wantI don’t want toI don’t want

Leaves become most beautifulwhen they’re about to diewhen they’re about to fall from treeswhen they’re about to dry up

The man of a thousand faces sits down at the tableeats a small lump of sugarand smiles at the moon like he knows her

And begins his quiet ascensionwithout anyone’s sturdy instructionto a place that no religionhas found a path to, or a likeness

His words are quiet like stains areon a tablecloth washed in the riverStains that are trying to coverfor each otheror at least blend in with the pattern

Good is better than perfectscrub till your fi ngers are bleedingand I’m crying for things thatI tell others to do without crying

He used to go to his favorite bookstoresand rip out his favorite pagesand stuff ‘em into his breast pocketsand the moon, to him, was a stranger

Now he sits down at the tableright next to the windowand begins his quiet ascensionwithout anyone’s sturdy instructionto a place that no religionhas found a path to or a likenessand he eats a small lump of sugarand smiles at the moon like he knows her...