BURYING SOD

hens on a hot griddle
the grease is in the skillet
there's a big hole in the world
there ain't nobody here fit to fill it

if God gives you a gift
get on the floor and shake it
pay me a compliment
I'm gonna shut up and take it

a house with many rooms
a bird in a cage of bones
a life with others
and a life alone

she's in a place of full release now
near to the heart of God now
up above this burying sod

when my blood don't flow
but my nails still grow
visit my grave in that little red dress
let your private property show

bury me with your slippers
bury me with your lip gloss
bury your face in a black veil
feel the fullness of the loss

there's a man in your kitchen
he's sitting in my chair
well whoever he is
I hope you got a good man sitting there

Grandma was a nice lady
she thought of me fondly
but I snuck out the door
before Grandma could plant one on me

and now I ain't got nothing
I know you got nothing too
if I get something
maybe I'll split it with you

they tell me don't sleep
they tell me don't blow it
Jimmy crack corn while you can
you'll be cold before you know it

she's in a place of full release now
near to the heart of God now
up above this burying sod

he was a bright kid
and we were friends
one day he got a bright idea
I never saw that motherfucker again

there was a secret knock
for just us two
if I ever hear it again
I'll know that it's you

for now I'm reading the obituaries
waiting on the evening bus
we all deserve someone
to grieve for us

she could take the rafters
right off the windows
all that power
and it went like everything goes

don't come to her funeral
she don't care
funerals are for the living
we don't want you there

I can't do it
I don't know how
I don't know where to find the stuff
that's gonna get us out of where we are now

she's in a place of full release now
near to the heart of God now
up above this burying sod

 — Life With Others (Part I)