Invisible Hour

I left the yard then came back in, I drank up your bathtub gin— And though I lived, it left me weak But I raise myself back up to speak... For it hit me hard, the mandolin That cried just there inside your door— And though it left me high and dry I know too soon I'll ask for more Oh I've come back to plead and dance, To forgive us both all in advance Salt and sugar, tooth and nail, Tongue and groove, and all for sale; Thoughts and prayers, words and deeds, Bruised and broken, spilling seeds— Tar and feathers, clocks and spoons, Falling shoes and flashing signs; Fits and starts, and hearts and moons That wane come either rain or shine Oh I've come back to plead and dance, To forgive us both all in advance We all come into this world Scared and bare, blue and curled— We all bring the knife we need To sate our mouths and not concede The love that stands a moving bridge Where blood moves under skin and bone— To feel a hum and come alive In bodies that are not our own. Oh I've come back to plead and dance, To forgive us both all in advance