Elephant's Memory - Martin Sexton

Calling, calling

Father wanted to run away

With the circus as a kid

Or a teen escape to the priestly way

And in a way he almost did

Twelve children 'round the supper table

Every blessed one is his

Chanting ten turns 'round the rosary

The holy circus that it is

And me, I’m looking on with elephant’s memory

At that old elephant in the living room

You know the one we try not to see

The one who ain’t gonna be leaving too soon

He’s calling, he’s calling

Mother asked me what I’m grateful for

We make up something one by one

Father says forgive us sinners lord

Staring right at me when he’s done

Baby sees the elephant like she sees the steam rising off her plate

But soon enough she’ll fall in line

And finally learn to look away

I think he’s calling, he’s calling

As the secrecy’s keeping the lock on the gate

Guarding us in our safe place

Watching and waiting for someone to step out of line

Enforcing with anti-grace

All of you keepers and wanna be sleepers

Wake up there’s a message so clear

I saw the elephant and I looked him in the eye

And he begged me not to tell you he’s here

But he’s here.

He’s here

And he’s calling, he’s calling