Arab Strap: Infrared

How can nothing ever mean something?
It goes from white to grey so fast.
A new pool on a strange mattress.
Helps me catch up with my past.
Pass me something to wipe with.
We're so easy to please.
Do you worry that it's loaded?
Laced with a million littles me's.
So are you up for the hat-trick
or are you down for a rest?
Is the whitest light between our legs
or hidden in my chest?
And if they see us on the stairs
or if they catch us on the sink.
Move quickly and brush it off
with a giggle and a wink.
At least we know we're fuckable,
at least we're sated and we're tired.
At least the bedroom stinks,
and we know we're desired.


SCREAMING IN THE TREES
We met on mutual ground
but you avoided my gaze
until I lost your face
in the next morning's haze.
You're shoes could've woken up the whole street.
They drowned out the birds screaming in the trees.
We sat down on the stone stairs
and I watched the scars on your knees.
We met on mutual ground.
You fell out of your dress.
This bar's not open late enough,
so let's go home and make a mess.

They smiled and left the room
to leave us with more space
but we stayed where we were
and just had a drink to the chase.
A good night kiss equals a quick reaction
but it's hard to believe I'm fully grown.
So as usual, we parted on vague terms,
so you could climb back on your thrown.


HAUNT ME
Haunt me.
I know
you'll keep me
in tow.
No laugh,
no guide,
no limp
beside.
So haunt me
'cause I know
you'll keep me
in tow.
If she's all
I need
to love
and breed.
then haunt me
'cause I'll know
you'll keep me
in tow.


TURBULENCE
You always jump and quiver
when you're coming in to land
with no runway, no guidance
no nails dug into my hand.
We could have whoever we want.
We could go back to school
and see the dead laugh again.
Let's get dressed up and pull.
The only benefit of drinking.
The downside of what we take.
Some weekends I feel
like I could always be awake.
A party in a strangers house.
Have we ever met the host?
Just smile and keep talking
and get your can for a toast.
We won't always be safe here
but this is where we reign.
Pull it tight to protect us.
We might never sleep again.