The Poisoned Rose

(album: The Old Magic - 2011)

The poisoned rose that you gave to me
It left me half alive and half in ecstasy
But if half of your love is all I can win
Give me just a fraction but no more medicine

The poisoned rose on a Valentine card
That you take straight to the heart that you call my junkyard
But if all I can do is save pieces of you
The piece of your mind, the piece of your heart didn't tear me apart
Like the poisoned rose I received from you

I don't know how we came to grow into this very sad affair
Every time we do the decent thing, somebody spikes the drink and a single becomes a pair

The poisoned rose that you wear at your best
That I keep pressed between the white sheets where you lie half undressed

I threw away my shirt and shoes, you looked and I dived in
It's just you and me now 'cause I threw away the gin
I threw away your alibis and all your worn out clothes
I threw myself upon the floor but I couldn't throw away this poisoned rose
This poisoned rose, this poisoned rose