We're So Close

I've lived in all of the houses he's built

The one in the air

The one underground

The one on the water

The one in the sand

He says: It doesn't matter how we live

He says: It doesn't matter where we live

We're so close we can dispense with houses

We don't need a home at all

It's come to be a habit with me to dine alone

You're never home

And the evenings end so early

He says: we can be close from afar

He says: the closest people always are

We're so close that in our separation,

There's no distance at all.

Sometimes I gout to the car,

Turn on the headlights

Intending to leave-

Sometimes I need to hear the words,

My imagination's not as strong as you'd believe-

But I've talked to you;

You haven't listened at all.

I've said I'm numb,

I can't even cry,

I'm stuck with acting out a part.

He says: what do words ever reveal?

He says: in speaking one can be so false-

We're so close we have a silent language,

We don't need words at all.

There's a husky voice

That speaks to me in the dark

And on the phone from studios

And Westside bars,

Through tunnels of long distance.

He says: we're beyond flowers

He says: We're beyond compliments-

We're so close we can dispense with love

We don't need love at all.