I
Only a heartbeat at a time
Only a breath from death
Only a soft bamboo windchime
Carried on the sky's breath
II
One wants love one needs to be kissed
One craves human propinquity
Lest the point of it all be missed
One who is one is me
III
At the end now they are alone
Pickled and fit to die
Soon they will be gone who have known
So well to live a lie
IV
My upbringing was a warning
The worthless feel most worth
I must get up in the morning
And go and save the earth
V
The lavender ribbon she wore
A cloth of gingham check
Was like some fruit a lotus bore
Delicious on her neck
VI
Only a stubborn stunted star
On a very dark night
I never meant to come this far
But I still have my light