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Coda

from Spine Adagio by Joplin Rice

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lyrics

it’s a random display of a child’s memories
caressed by decay & sewn up at the seams
on a desk clean and cracked that drove dogs to bark
& the puddles contracted to swallow the yard

where you played as a kid making bruises and scars
staining purple & red skin so white when it formed
in a mother of three though she never looked down
at the last to be freed from her own silky gown

that was cream-laden soft and boiling to fly
into steam to float off like she did when she died
even royalty burns and the child turns away
in anger & hurt & angry and hurt he will stay

so pull to tighten the lace
so that nothing’s spilling out
& keep your ankles straight
because your bones grow soft and fall onto the ground
& if your mother cries dry the tears away
so our babies won’t drown
beautiful son of mine don’t look down
please find yourself a throne to wrap around

you were robbed of your breath when she shuffled her feet
as you pounded her legs like they were piano keys
& your stomach felt fire as you slept on the floor
your dry eyes perspired to leave out through the door

one floating face brought it all back to hear
of the secrets and shame that proceeded the cheers
& guilty’s not right oh but neither is pure
a wonderful sight could still make you feel sure

but it won’t come to you it will run far away
& beg to be used but not led off astray
I know that you’ll collapse and find a new home
but you’ll always be trapped by your legs with no bones

credits

from Spine Adagio, released June 23, 2012

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about

Joplin Rice Lexington, Kentucky

Joplin Rice is a songwriter living in Richmond, Kentucky.
He has released numerous other albums both under his own name and as Ezra Triste.
Every band he forms dies.

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