Excerpt, Chapter 2: “Let’s Be In Hollywood!” Lyrics

Nothing for us in the swamps

Along the prairies in the banks

Beneath quarries and the pearls

There's only tinsel and the stage

Let's be in Hollywood

Awaiting the end of the world

Nothing phony nor fake

Except the crucifix and stakes

Cadence of showgirls

Rhythms on the page

Wisdom of the sage

Awaiting the end of the world

He's breathing through his mouth squeezing

Hands into fists and funny shapes

Says "I left my wallet in the car baby

Just need a beer then I could get us out of here

Don't want to be morbid or morose

But your husband is seconds from a heart attack

And he can't craft a joke

But me I can make you laugh"

Nothing for us in the blocks

Amongst the wary spindleshanks

Bury me with flags unfurled

Set it ablaze trace the spotlights on the stage

Await the end of the world

It's not the acclaim or the bodies 'round the grave

Ascribing weight to our words

It's the gasps and feints

Of those who knew your name

Awaiting the end of the world

Lived flesh compressed by poor posture and gravity

Shattered mugs

Flabby biceps

Grip twitchy and weak

Baby I just long to be anything but me

Or in the pages of a paperback wistful and sweet

Lived flesh attests to bereavement and grief

Shattered mugs for ships in the west

Tremors in the hull and in the ferryman's feet

Like him I long to be a grifter seldom believed

Or in the pages of a screenplay that drifts unwittingly

Nothing for us in the creeks

That hasn't been seen

Discovered by other girls

Consumed by the waves and the soundstage

Awaiting the end of the world

No blemish or age can spoil masquerades

When we're in makeup and plural

I know it's dumb but let's get steady

While we await the end of the world