Laugh, China Doll (Ka-Spel, Edward)
Lilith's Daughter
Mummy's entertaining uncle. I can hear her through the wall. I've never seen my latest uncle, but I draw pictures of them all. Turn them into little models, line them up along the hall - stick a pin in (Hear him scream behind the wall!) That's how mummy gets her kicks, she showed me all the tricks. She knows the symbols, says the nicest things... Now i'm plunging pins while uncle plunges in.Eye Contact
Toothpaste on his collar, there were creases in his shirt. And someone stabbed a fag out on his coat. It made a hole. It didn't hurt. He never noticed, squashed inside the train, the elbows in his ribs. Complaints and smells of garlic perspiration, as the stations flew. No-one talked, no-one looked.His face turned china blue, he tried to push, he couldn't move. He tried to scream no sound came through. Was heaving, bleeding from the inside. He died... still standing. No-one noticed, no-one cared.
They'd steal a glance, but never stare. It never pays to stare.
Lady Sunshine
Tears appear, and lines are showing. China Doll is alone. The TV screams, the candle's glowing - he disconnects the phone.Maybe sometime, he'll be happy. Troubles drift away. Lady Sunshine on Strawberry Sundays. He even knows her name.
Throws a clock, there's time to kill. He hears the doorbell ring. And though they shout, he's sitting still. Pretends he isn't in.
Maybe sometime, he'll be happy. Troubles drift away. Lady Sunshine on Strawberry Sundays. He even knows her name.
Find The Lady
Free dominoes and poison darts piled in a cart. Your lucky day! you choose your game, you pick a card, you find the lady, chase the ace. It's double spades. She's staring straight at you and you know she knows something you're not aware of, sees the shadow blocking out the sun. Sees the column in the paper. In memorium. In your name. Sees you sliding in the pit as preacher spits the blood out, hears the rats run in the crypt. The congregation getting smaller - crosses stretch for miles. A consecrated camp, a marble zoo and Anne Boleyn is shouting Boo! (Because a ghost cannot applaud). The Lord is calling names. It's Judgement Day. They're throwing garbage from the stalls, they're jeering from the galleries as victims drop through trapdoors into hell.Smell the burning, turning cards and spades are trumps, the trumpet's playing as you're born again (you found your lady).
Requiem
Before I leave I thought I'd write you one last note. Because the promise that I made was not a joke. You simply humoured me, then walked out on me. Hope you like the colour of the rope.I know I've said it all before but never dared. But on this occasion, everything's prepared. I tidied up the flat, and I fed the cat. Even took the time to comb my hair.
And will I see my wretched life flash past my eyes? Will a trace of what I did be left behind? Or will they find a cave, dig an unmarked grave? Perhaps I'll only see a thin blue line...
'Where were you when you were really needed? You knew that I was bleeding. I'd plead for some affection. You reached for the rejection slip... I slip away. Affectionately yours!'
Suicide Pact
Pick a straw, or spin the bottle. Spin the barrel. Draw. You're quicker from the hip. And the trigger never sticks. But will you take it further? Taste the metal, squeeze again, complete the bargain. Hold my hand, as cities burn away. And children turn to ash in charcoal gardens... will you pardon my concern? I think I'll catch the bullet in my teeth, join the circus with the freaks. The bearded ladies, the babies with a dozen heads, the jelly legs and the green albinos. They're queuing at the door. So many more to choose from since the world went up in flames. Forget the names, we're only faces in the fire...Paradise Then
She prayed but got the ansaphone, said 'God's not home, try later....' Heard the tone, a trumpet call. Down came the walls and smashed her skull. The lady strolled to Heaven, but the golden gates were locked. The drains were blocked, the fountains wrecked, a ragged queue stretched round the fence. And tents pitched, angels wearing leather - burning broken harps. The ghetto blasters blasting Rimsky-Korsakov, distorted. Waltzing naked to the pool, and casting lines and shooting pool on plastic barges. Flashin g sign says 'Make a fortune! Take your time!' A wine was free, the bar was busy, ladies easy - gave receipts. And angel police would take a bribe, just quote the Bible, chapter, verse. And curse the devil, curse his wife - the mice are playing, the cat's away! Can let their hair down for a day - she prayed again and joined the party!Lisa's Funeral
Lisa lifted up the carpet, looking for cathedrals. Feeling evil. Watched the crass glow on the wall, fixed the crossbow at the apple on his head. China Christ was crying 'Mummy'. Ma Donna smiled and tugged the string a second time.... Outside, the guide was filing tourists, following the star. Took the money in a jar, blessed it twice, it turned to dust for angels. Dipping straws and keeping scores as halos soared towards the steeple. People cheered, the sponsors cleared a path and handed out cigars which ticked and then exploded. Lisa caught a toe between her teeth, pulled faces in the mirror. Shivered as the ghosts grinned back, then wrapped her in a sack, and tipped her in the grave! Writhing, shouting, turning grey and the devil whispered anagrams but Lisa understood!Atomic Roses
Fingers flex, and eyelash flickered. Someone's wicked joke. Could hear him choking on his laughter as the limbs twitched in the smoke. But it was just a spasm jive, because the only sign of life was in the cruel and icy light of atomic roses.Metal petals of a dozen beacons, beaming in the dark - to mark the last resistance, the final protest (didn't leave a spark). Even pilgrims kept their distance, vizors clamped, itching blisters. Shrank in lead suits from the kiss of atomic roses.
And a figure cut the wire, padded barefoot through the field. Kneeled as klaxons barked in anger. Guards appeared at windowsills. Tore their hair in disbelief as a young girl danced beneath, bouquet clutched between her teeth of atomic roses.
She laughed as thorns grew from her finger, pollen gathered in her hair. And when she sang the bees responded, perfume lingered in her hair. Sprinkled seeds, summoned thunder, drank the rain and watched in wonder as around her sprang a hundred atomic roses.
And scented parcels rode on breezes. Dropped in deserts, dripped on lawns. Lost in cities, laced the rivers. Brought a new light to the dawn. With it, sickness flowed - crept insidious and slow, leaving just the afterglow of atomic roses.
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