we're so close

i've lived in all of the houses he's built

the one in the air

the one underground

the one on the water

the one in the sand

he says: it doesn't matter how we live

he says: it doesn't matter where we live

we're so close we can dispense with houses

we don't need a home at all

it's come to be a habit with me to dine alone

you're never home

and the evenings end so early

he says: we can be close from afar

he says: the closest people always are

we're so close that in our separation

there's no distance at all. sometimes i gout to the car

turn on the headlights

intending to leave-

sometimes i need to hear the words

my imagination's not as strong as you'd believe-

but i've talked to you;

you haven't listened at all. i've said i'm numb

i can't even cry

i'm stuck with acting out a part. he says: what do words ever reveal?

he says: in speaking one can be so false-

we're so close we have a silent language

we don't need words at all. there's a husky voice

that speaks to me in the dark

and on the phone from studios

and westside bars

through tunnels of long distance. he says: we're beyond flowers

he says: we're beyond compliments-

we're so close we can dispense with love

we don't need love at all.