The Death of a Sailor

Jane Cox

I don’t know why, I wish I did I feel so cruelly numb I felt nothing, I made you cry I said I can’t, I’m done

Maybe all this bruising blank

Within my awful heart Was brought on by the freezing winds Your painful lover’s mark

But I still tried to bail the boat Far past its point of no return Bailed until my fingers bled Pointless, I soon learned

I tried, I hope you know I tried To be all that you need But a girl drowning in your pain Can’t be your raft at sea

So maybe I’m heartless, Maybe I’m cruel But I can’t keep being Your hurt’s waiting room

Not when I scarcely keep My own heartache afloat If I give you my hand

We’ll both sink ‘neath the load

I’m sorry, I’m sorry For our ending like this But I gave and I gave Now there’s nothing to miss

But the waterlogged bones

Of a girl lost at sea

Who was drowned in the storms

Of once great you-and-me