New Goodbye

Through the hem of evening 
  into the flesh of the night 
  you step out to receive them 
  in the bruising light 

  you leave your bed of novels 
  you leave your hovering crown 
  you leave your wit and your mettle 
  and you come down 

  but it's only a minute then 
  til the hole in the canvas spreads 
  and it grows til there's nothing left 

  so if you even remember 
  me after all that will come 
  think of all i intended 
  not what i've done 

  see me like an arrow 
  still upon the bow 
  set to the heart of the target 
  hanging bright above 

  but it's only a minute then 
  til the shot is released and sent 
  and lost to the shifting wind 

  oh they don't know you, not like i do, not like us, harriet 
  but they would love you, just like i do, if they could, harriet 
  cause what you are, and what you want, are so far apart, and they're travelling on 
  oh what you are is staggering drunk, but i'll pick you up and i'll carry you off 
  oh they don't know you, not like i know you, not like us, harriet 
  but they would love you, just like i love you, if they could, harriet