Villanelles

Ghost

remembering all you’ve done, you’ve said,
your everything imprinted on my heart-
these thoughts they just won’t leave my head

though I’m still young, with years ahead,
my everything, it’s torn apart
remembering all you’ve done, you’ve said

awake at night, you’re in my bed,
your warmth, your smell, just won’t depart,
these thoughts they just won’t leave my head

the tears, the tears, the tears I’ve shed,
the soggy gasps at a fresh start-
remembering all you’ve done, you’ve said

I’ve tried warm milk and pills instead
and therapy, state of the art-
these thoughts they just won’t leave my head

and all the years that you’ve been dead
I’ve done my part, I’ve mourned my part,
remembering all you’ve done, you’ve said
these thoughts they just won’t leave my head.

Love Song

Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand be forgot,
let me wither up and die and run my eyes until they’re dry,
and oh Jerusalem, I’ll cry- for everything you’re not.

Cross-continental, we were bound by an unintelligible knot
I came to be with you, Jerusalem, unable fully to say why
Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand be forgot.

I gave up everything I had, I gave you everything I’ve got
family, friends, money, heart- at the airport we waved goodbye-
and oh Jerusalem, I’ll cry- for everything you’re not.

Strange in a strange land- and strangers they abound a lot
still sometimes struck by the sensation am yisrael chai
Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand be forgot.

Even as I walk the streets and smell the cat decay and rot,
in certain light you’re beautiful- I cannot lie, I can’t deny-
and oh Jerusalem, I’ll cry- for everything you’re not.

Jerusalem, you know I tried, you know I gave you my best shot,
and though you’re eating me alive- I won’t die! But oh, I’ll cry
Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand be forgot.
But oh Jerusalem, I’ll cry- for everything you’re not.