The Last Time I Saw Richard - Clare Maguire

The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in '68

And he told me, «All romantics meet the same fate someday

Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark café

«You laugh,» he said, «you think you’re immune

Go look at your eyes, they’re full of moon

You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you

All those pretty lies, pretty lies

When you gonna realize they’re only pretty lies?

Only pretty lies, just pretty lies»

He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer

And he pushed three buttons and the thing began to whirr

And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie

And she said «Drink up now, it’s gettin' on time to close.»

«Richard, you haven’t really changed,» I said, it’s just that

Now you’re romanticizing some pain that’s in your head

You got tombs in your eyes, but the songs you punched are dreamy

Listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet

When you gonna get yourself back on your feet?

Oh and love can be so sweet, love so sweet

Richard got married to a figure skater

And he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percolator

And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on

And all the house lights left up bright

I’m gonna blow this damn candle out

I don’t want nobody comin' over to my table

I got nothing to talk to anybody about

All good dreamers pass this way someday

Hidin' behind bottles in dark cafés

Dark cafés, only a dark cocoon

Before I get my gorgeous wings and fly away

Only a phase, these dark café days