You and Me, Bess – Joanna Newsom
We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves
Dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails
Like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails
From the gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch
The cold eyes of the gulls
I hope Mother Nature has not overheard
Though, she doles out hurt like a puking bird
We stayed for the winter
No-one told us
About the laws of the land
I hold my own
But you, with your hunger
You, on the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound
Of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We were as thick as thieves
So I swore, nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case
Must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
It must have been too late
I believe you were not lying
It is the day
I wake with my ears
Cocked up like a gun
Like every day, of course
Yanked by my wrists
To the sugar-front courtyard
Now tell me, what have I done
It seems I have stolen a horse
I step to the gallows
Who do you think you are
Arching your hooves like a crane
In the shallow gutter
That lines the boulevards
Crowded with folks
Who just stare as I hang
It’s all the same
Kindness comes over me
What was your name
It makes no difference
I’m glad that you came
Forever, I’ll listen to your glad neighing
