The Ephemeral Bed Of Fire

And so love disappears from rented hearts

Thus released we walk apart in silence

The way of memories painful and short

I see the flower-girl

She does not stop

Yes I know that she will not sing for me

But the tingle of other names remains

I know it does not help to feel this way

So show me another

Point me the way

I've lived too long

I've seen too much

I've learnt that I should never touch

So much pain for so little gain

Doesn't stop it starting again

Writhe in your ephemeral bed of fire

The flames are hot but feel how they die out

Mournful flickers of spent heat haunt me still

So do not lighten my darkness, lady

I can suffer no further degradation

Brought about by my animal passion

Do not arouse me from loveless slumber

I must live as I dream

That is alone

I've lived too long

I've seen too much

I've learnt that I should never touch

So much pain for so little gain

Doesn't stop it starting again

As for those voices I won't heed their call

Desires killed by self-denial

The absence of hope will hurt me less

Than building myself up for another fall

Therefore I shall block my ears to your call

I prefer to lash myself to the mast

To the thought of tying myself to you

I shall not believe all that you may sing

And thus avoid the wreck that I have become

It took so very long to reach this end

To start again requires a leap of faith

A leap that I'm not prepared to make