You'll Only End Up Joining Them - Kevin Devine

Tonight I’m posed and popping like a peacock

I’m pressing flesh, I’m smiling big, my spinning head sings «Stop, just stop»

Cause what used to calm me down

Just rips my life to ribbons now

So I keep smiling, I find my window and quick cut out

These days my hangman’s hunger makes my gut kick

My sleeping mind, could map it blind

A flask, a key, a bag, a fifth

I try to will myself away

While shouting habits plead their case

So when the sun sears through my eyes

My beggar’s brain can’t compromise

I splash cold water, I draw the curtains, I stay inside

And I can’t say that it’s a sickness, more like a stranger I ask in And later realize, was a strangler

Slipping nooses in my den

But I was lonely so I asked him, «Would you tie that one on me?»

It wasn’t his fault, I was eager, and I was weak

So as I inch towards resolution

Yea I’m not sure which life feels right

A narrow noose or the wading water

The hanging head, sore open eyes

I know my brother he went one way

And at the fork I heard him say

«Don't you follow, don’t go making my mistakes»

And I realized what he meant

Don’t kill yourself to raise the dead

It never works you’ll only end up joining them