1.
gazing at wheels in the window
on a cold November morn
inside, my son took the saddle
a devilish dream was born!
so I stretched what duty gave me
said Santa had given his word
but then you thieve this Christmas Eve
the music from two worlds
for you sold that bike to bidders
with more to their pocket than me
tomorrow, must I tell him
about mister claws and his fee?
so sing to me of wonder’s spell
sing songs of childhood’s fall
for as he cartwheels through the night
I will not sleep at all
2.
how I had pictured my debutante ball
no Cinders, a royal princess
for one night of dancing and romance
with boys who’d be out to impress
and choosing a gown of delicate blue
you told me you’d have it in days
for weeks I naively believed you
when you gave me date after date
now nightmares would be sweeter
than all of your casual lies
a gown doesn’t fall from my shoulders
and innocence falls from my eyes
so sing to me of rainbow’s end
sing songs of teenage shame
for dreams hung on your promise
were more than childish games
3.
we pledged to walk together
and O, how I cherished your ring
blossoms seemed eternal
for a queen in the arms of her king
and you, if blossoms lost their scent
would share with me each storm
I never thought you’d trigger skies
by scything what you’d sown
for you sweet-talk with another
while bitter, I straggle alone
stripped as the wood of the winter
stripped like the dog makes the bone
so sing to me of golden bands
sing songs of jilted nights
for life we built on more than gold
is sobbed out ‘til the light
4.
my pounds all came from pennies
I bought Paradise in the spring
this little shop on the corner
not knowing what summer would bring
my castle was yours to pillage
each month you left your trail
and with your leering ringing
the raindrops feel like hail
now things are secure as a prison
I’ll make back what you seized
but what you killed, my lust for life
don’t come back on the breeze
so sing to me of turning cheeks
sing songs of broken dreams
for joy I found in smiles and nods
fled as if I’d never dreamed