Get Better

(album: The Dream - 2022)

Hallelujah
I'm listening to a recording of you sleeping next to me
A capella
I'm listening to you cover Elliott Smith's 'Angeles'

It's these times I'll need if you go
It's these times I'll need if you go

So

Get better, my darling
I know you will
Get better, my darling
I know you will get better

I'm drawn to the motorway
The cold whoosh of trucks passing
This night-time under sodium light
The orange spread is soul-quieting

A younger you and a younger me
Meeting at the Serpentine
I am yours
You are mine

Happy birthday
Staff smuggled in a card I made
It rests under your pillow
When out of ICU, you'll cringe at all the "I love yous"
That card retired the life of one biro

At this time, I wanted you to know
At this time, I wanted you to know

Get better, my darling
I hope you will
Get better, my darling
I hope you will get better

I'll start the day with tiramisu
Raise a spoon to frontline workers
An underfunded principle
They risk all to be there for us

A younger you and a younger me
Meeting at the Serpentine
I am yours
You are mine

You were the baker
I'll christen this new era
With the smell of freshly-baked bread
Your Nutella, I'll keep it in the cellar
You were always a fan of that spread

Six months on, there's a car crash outside
The fire brigade using the jaws of life
No flush at night to sound your return
I still pretend you're only out of sight

Front garden bouquet, I threw it at the fire brigade
I was admonished and told to go back inside
From the living-room window
I stand and watch the white sheet go
Over the family car and I close my eyes

I still pretend you're only out of sight in another room
Smiling at your phone
I still pretend you're only out of sight in another room
Smiling at your phone
I still pretend you're only out of sight in another room
Smiling at your phone
I still pretend you're only out of sight in another room
Smiling at your phone
I still pretend

A younger me, a younger you
Meeting at the Serpentine
The beginning of spring
You wore those yellow ripped jeans
Your look defined my 2009
Your shyness stoked my boldness
"Shall we go in?" I smiled
Your hand warmed, walking through the gallery

(Get better)
I know I will
(Get better)
My darling
I know I will