i don't need ...
i don't need a lover
don't need the snowdrift of velvet skin
don't need the softness
of late night kisses
don't need the sweat and salvation
of sex
don't need the harsh word mornings
when my head fills with thunder
and your face breaks into
a torrential rain
i don't need a woman
don't need an embrace
don't need the heartache
when the armies of goodbye
storm the castle of hope
and break through the walls
with the scream of silent adieus
i don't need a reason
don't need excuses
don't need explanations
for living alone
for waking in the darkness
and not calling your name
i don't need a voice
from faraway places
don't need letters and postcards
full of promises
that read like best-before dates
on a half-eaten loaf of stale bread
i don't need your troubles
don't need to know
that your heart is failing
don't need to prepare
for your final whisper
don't care if that last breath
puffs out the sound of my name
i don't need all the sadness
people discover when things
fall apart
don't need to understand
how anyone fails
to anticipate disaster
when disaster is as certain
as tomorrow's sunrise
i don't need God
don't need Jesus
don't need the priests
with their incense-stained hands
and their strings of magic beads
i don't need retreat
don't need to move on
don't need yesterday or tomorrow
and above all else
i don't need the eyes that
never just watch me
but always actually see me
don't need the trace of fingers
through my hair
don't need the promises
that have never failed me
the promises of deliverance
and safekeeping
so perfect and so rare
they ring like church bells
over wedding vows
and when my breath falters
remember only that
i never needed the miracle
that has always been
you
don't need the snowdrift of velvet skin
don't need the softness
of late night kisses
don't need the sweat and salvation
of sex
don't need the harsh word mornings
when my head fills with thunder
and your face breaks into
a torrential rain
i don't need a woman
don't need an embrace
don't need the heartache
when the armies of goodbye
storm the castle of hope
and break through the walls
with the scream of silent adieus
i don't need a reason
don't need excuses
don't need explanations
for living alone
for waking in the darkness
and not calling your name
i don't need a voice
from faraway places
don't need letters and postcards
full of promises
that read like best-before dates
on a half-eaten loaf of stale bread
i don't need your troubles
don't need to know
that your heart is failing
don't need to prepare
for your final whisper
don't care if that last breath
puffs out the sound of my name
i don't need all the sadness
people discover when things
fall apart
don't need to understand
how anyone fails
to anticipate disaster
when disaster is as certain
as tomorrow's sunrise
i don't need God
don't need Jesus
don't need the priests
with their incense-stained hands
and their strings of magic beads
i don't need retreat
don't need to move on
don't need yesterday or tomorrow
and above all else
i don't need the eyes that
never just watch me
but always actually see me
don't need the trace of fingers
through my hair
don't need the promises
that have never failed me
the promises of deliverance
and safekeeping
so perfect and so rare
they ring like church bells
over wedding vows
and when my breath falters
remember only that
i never needed the miracle
that has always been
you
