a good year for the roses

i can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray

lyin' cold the way you left 'em but at least your lips caressed them while you packed

or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee that you poured and didn't drink

but at least you thought you wanted it that's so much more than i can say for me

it's been a good year for the roses

many blooms still linger there

the lawn could stand a mowin'

funny i don't even care

and you turn to walk away

as the door behind you closes

the only thing i know to say

it's been a good year for the roses

after three full years of marriage it's the first time that you haven't made the bed

i guess the reason we're not talkin' there's so little left we haven't said

while a million thoughts go racin' through my mind i find i haven't spoke a word

from the bedroom the familiar sound of one baby's cryin' goes unheard

but what a good year for the roses

many blooms still linger there

the lawn could stand another mowin'

funny i don't even care

and when you turn to walk away

as the door behind you closes

the only thing i know to say

it's been a good year for the roses