My Childhood

So my childhood goes
On the winds of the silence
Of memory's treason
And true make believe
Winter snowflakes like diamonds
On the window sill
Where I press my chin
And dreamed summer in

Then I ride 'cross the plains
I'm an Indian brave
On a pony of gold
Never taking a rest
I battle to save
My warriors, my west

So my childhood goes
On the steam of the cooking
I dream of Charlotte russes
And other truths
My mother plays Mahjong
My father plays cards
So distant, so wise
They look right through my eyes

So I block off my head
I pretend I'm a bird
That's unseen and unheard
I have not said a word
Now I'm driving a train
And it's bed time again

So my childhood goes
And white gloves and bonnets
Dissolving in teardrops
Until it's all gone
And how my anger rises
How I hold my breath
Against this family
Always ready for death

Always ready for grief
Always ready for woe
Oh, I want so much to dance
On the graves they adore
Dance to bring back the dead
And it's time for bed

My childhood explodes
And it shatters the silence
As it smashes through grieving
With a beautiful noise
There was the first boy
The first boy that I knew
And his first tender touch
My first taste of love!

I wanted to fly!
And I swear that I flew!
My heart glowed like the sun
My dark days became bright
And then the war began
And here we are tonight