While on a bench with a gaggle of friends
Out the front of eyes, your gazes extend.
And while your pals can see a good yard or three
Your vision seems flirty with infinity-
Out past the cars and the trash on the ground
Out past the streets, tree leaves, beyond sound
As if you're not even there with your arms wrapped around
As if I feel your squeeze- but it's your heart that surrounds
You show me why- to hug like it matters-
to laugh till you're shattered-
and grin till they're flattered-
and sing till 'throat's tattered-

Strange while surrounded you seem so alone
As if waitin' on calls from a home never known
Some future ring that you wish you could find
Some fortune's charted - laid out in your mind-
Out past the illness and cold winter hands
Out past the railyard and poor punk-rock bands
As if you're not even there with your friends by your side
As if their company's good but it's just there to hide
While you wait to escape all the clamours-
to chase the endeavors-
and to follow enamours-
and to plan on forevers-

You say that you miss me- I miss you in kind
When gone for months I thought I'd never find
A chance to tell- you seem apart from the rest
For good or ill, sure the time it'll test-
Out past your plans cast forward in steps
Out past your worries or any precepts
As if you feel with your toes the heart of the earth, old
As if your hand could give life back to the Midas gold
Are you aware of the power you keep-
even while you're asleep?-
and the splashes from your leap?-
and the gifts for those who weep?

You make your exit with weights on your back-
Yet your smile sincere - for cheer, you've a nack
I only hope there's a foundation of stone
For the spirit you carry all on your own
Out past abusers who've made an attack.
Out past all lovers who stopped loving back-
As if you don't make grace wherever in any place!-
As if you're not an angel in this whole messed up race.
With the flick of a wrist you could wage war-
Or send warmth to the poor-
Or grant real ease to the sore-
But to choose which is your chore.

So on a bench with a gaggle of friends
In love with you, but I know - just the bends-
From rising so fast that I lost my sight.
I thank you for lifting up to a height-
Up past the humbugs and grumble-y mood
Up past the smog and the frightfully crude.
And I don't expect anything from our new friendship
And I won't force or command charted course on this trip
But I thank you - and I say sincerely
You're in tune more clearly.
You give real love more dearly-
Than all those who just merely-