Henry Stewart & Michelle Rosenblum
Jack in the box collects dust in the corner
Crank busted off, rusted shut, it won’t open
Door groans every time it lets a little bit of light in
And the light hurts his eyes like a nightmare of lightning
Curtains stay closed, he don’t want to see you no more
Knock on the door, another bag on the floor
Touch to the lips, reminds him he’s livin’
Rush of the wind, an eternity in it
You need oxygen and nitrogen for breathing
He needs his oxy, for his soul
But his soul’s got a lock that keeps stopping him from
Digging his way out of this hole
There was a place for his praying, a place he was staying,
But he’s here now
The dust and the shadows have no color or matter,
But he’s clear now
Was there a glimmer in your eye for a moment?
Or is it just that you’re trying to cry one last tear
Saw you in the corner, all skin and all bone now
The brittle ash of your broken wooden spear
Put down my wine on the porch rail
Watch him in the deepening gloom
He’s ventured outside in slow motion
In slow motion he returns to the tomb
You need oxygen and nitrogen for breathing
He needs his oxy, for his soul
But his soul’s got a lock that keeps stopping him from
Digging his way out of this hole
Digging his way out of this hole