When
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When you lay down by my side the sky that covered you now see is falling
when you walk the tall grass to the river that’s weeping you now know is calling
when the wanton streams rush fast and meet the river is recalling
when you stretch your limbs above the dive you hear the West wind squalling
when you stop before the dive and wonder how it could ever really cleanse you
when you shed your dress and see your face on top of muddy waters
when you turn and swirl in the liquid earth it rises to your shoulders
when you lean your back to float down the river you hear the songbird crying
when you close your eyes and wonder why you never tasted the apple
when you open your eyes and wonder what you’ll feel when I come see you
when you realize it can’t be now you have never been so unlonely
when you drift asleep in the silent stream your love-soaked dress wrapped round your fingers
when you dream of angels that drove you out your love-soaked dress wrapped round your fingers
when you slip it on for shame I’d see you raw and pink through the water
when you realize that I’ve dressed too a drunken sailor at the harbor
when we steal into the woods and search for another dark and sheltered arbor
when we stop to kiss the very first time stripped in a grove that is now hidden
when we stop to kiss the very first time we learn it’s always been forbidden
when I stop to wash your muddy hair the earth clumped in unholy midden
when we grow cold we put on clothes we return as if nothing happened
when the sun comes out and warms our hands drying for one last adventure
when you know someday you’ll need to leave for another willing to go farther
when you know someday you’ll need to leave for another tough not wiser
when you know someday you’ll need to leave for another my love no longer desired
when you know someday you’ll need to leave for another you’ll want me that very hour
when you know someday you’ll need to leave for another we’ll kiss under the bower
when you know someday you’ll need to leave you move East I’ll stand still as a sun-kissed flower.
