Me & Magdalena

(Album: Open Door Policy - 2021)

Me and Magdalena used to go out every night.
They thought she was the pretty one. They thought that I was nice.
But the boys that we'd been twisting with suddenly got wildly inconsistent.

Like first they're into Kiss and then they're into crust.
Spent the summer fighting over crumbs.
Man, there must be something more than this.
The grackles at the snack bar waging war for popcorn and potato chips.

And the records that the DJ played they didn't move us
Like the way they used to make us move
First they're into death. Then they're into dust.
Then they're into disco so now they're into drugs.

One night at the bandstand Magdalena met a frontman.
He spent the night but then the stupid sun came up.
At dawn she set him free under yesterday's marquee.
He blew a kiss and got back on the bus.

Told her she should probably prepare to be let down.
Distances are difficult. Heavy is the crown.
She said they'll be together anytime that he's in town.

Smoking at the swimming pool. Combing out the grease.
She showed me the postcard he sent from overseas.
It said the castles are all creepy and I haven't been to sleep.
And it's been like fourteen weeks.

Then he sent her a ticket to visit after Christmas.
She said the West Coast was everything she wished it was.
She decided she would stay and be with him in out in LA.
Said she's going to try to help him clean it up.

She didn't even bother coming back to get her stuff.
Said records are so heavy and you can't hurry love.
He hates to be alone and we're trying to clean him up.

I'm still in the apartment that I've had for seven years.
Magdalena disconnected. The rest it isn't clear.
There's something in the silence that hurts a bit to hear.

It sucks to be abandoned.
Certain songs can really sting.
But I still admit that psychopath can sing.

Distances are difficult. Precious is the time.
When he cancelled all those concerts there were rumors that he died.
Someone made a joke about the camel in his eyes.
I guess the needle was implied.

Last night Magdalena rang me really late.
Said nothing ever works. Only so much I can take.
If I make it back to Scranton can I clean up at your place?