Sinking Ship

(album: Invent Yourself A Shortcake - 1991)

Sinking ship
How long can you hold still?
Your illness spills against my face
Sinking ship
How long can you hold still?
Oh, can't you feel the coming waves?
A perfect Sunday portrait of my mother painting horses all alone
Of lovers and of leavers still believing they are free to come and go

Sinking ship
How long can you hold still?
Your illness is all that you are
A portrait of my father as a baby sleeping underneath the stars
A small pill of forgiveness I am giving to myself
It's what I need
A small gift of fulfillment I am hoping you will open and receive

Sinking ship
How long can you hold still?
Your illness fills this empty room
A portrait of your lover softly drowning in the warm waters of June
A perfect Sunday portrait of my mother sending signals through the drum
A portrait of my sadness finding shelter in the safety of my home