Your Possible Pasts

They flutter behind you, your possible pasts

Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost

A warnin' to anyone still in command

Of their possible future to take care

In derelict sidings, the poppies entwined

With cattle trucks lying in wait

For the next time

Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?

She stood in the doorway, the ghost of a smile

Haunting her face like a cheap hotel sign

Her cold eyes imploring the men in their macs

For the gold in their bags or the knives in their backs

Stepping up boldly, one put out his hand

He said, I was just a child then

Now I'm only a man

Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?

By the cold and religious, we were taken in hand

Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad

Strung out behind us, the banners and flags

Of our possible pasts lie in tatters

And rags

Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?