Card Tricks in the Dark

CARD TRICKS IN THE DARK

it feels like the world is ending
but brandi carlile's playing in my dreams
and you're standing in an airport
with grass growing on your arms

you said you liked my lips
and twenty years fell away
you're still sonnet 17
from how or when or where

you might be the flamingo with the broken leg
or the sun who counsels patience
or you might be the forgotten island
whose reality is better than any memory

you sang the song of achilles
and showed me the bird and the bear
there are foxes in my front yard
and i see you everywhere i look

i cried when i heard your voice
then told my story to a stranger
she said we've played this game before
and explained all the rules

i am not that scared boy
and you are not some damsel in distress
but we both might be strange birds
and we must be careful of magicians

you asked me if love was real
and a fortune cookie answered
but i'm afraid the end is coming
and i've never held your hand

are these card tricks in the dark
or will you read this and say 'run'
all i am is what you'll have
and what you'll give is all i want

it feels like the world is ending
but brandi carlile's playing in my dreams
and you're standing in an airport
with grass growing on your arms