"Tension Makes a Tangle" by 10000 Maniacs

[ music: John Lombardo/lyric: Natalie Merchant ]



as frail hinges 
pivot on a case's door 
commemorative 
souvenirs from places 
containers change 
with each occasion 

a cellophane encased 
display of paper 
certificate 
to credit years of service 
a tool of central enterprises 
the early hope 
for permanence 
the words 
the rings 
consistency 
the social security 
a miracle is high tragedy 

thought mistaken 
for a memory 
clear the dust from 
smiles in boxes 
pass a patterned wall 
recall their voices 

a local post 
will list your friends 
in order of 
disappearance 
the lawn scattered 

tins feed birds 
a portion baked for 
absent guests 
and the mass edition icon 
God sent comfort 
your salvation 
but who grants absolution 
for sins that 
never were committed 

tension makes a tangle 
of each thought 
becomes an inconvenience 
sound as it never penetrates 
as servile edges 
break and 
feint 

thought mistaken 
for a memory 
a dress length 
assassination 
a fractured family tie 
another christening 

christening 
christening 
christening