Leaning - Joe Henry

I can’t stay here in my room

I can’t hold my own against the heavy lean

Of your perfume;

That tries to keep your pillow down and low

Across my face

As if what lingers here of you could

Take my breath yet still be my saving grace

Lover, if you rise

Lover, if you go

Lover, if you rise

Lover, if you go

There are plenty who would just as soon

Settle all their debt with blond

Beneath a whoring moon that answers

Every prayer for rain with flood;

And there will always be one more ready

Savior standing tall

Waving from the tower

That looks from here like

It will sway and fall

Lover, if you rise…

I’ve cut back your roses just to give myself a day

Free of vulgar beauties that I know

Will fade away;

The scene is like a circus chasing

Winners out of town

Leaving here a wet street of mirror

And I won’t dare look down

Lover, if you rise…

In my room, things can change any hour

That I’m gone

Something will be an a shelf that I know I left

Scattered and undone;

One Small thing will be gone

Or will be moved just so

The smallest thing, after you, will be changed

I know, I know, I know

Lover, if you rise…