1. |
Two Free Hands
05:15
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Ask her what she'd like to be
and she stares at her hands
ten million years passing by in my mind
the suspension in the arches of her feet
the development of her spine
that led her to stand
with two free hands
two free hands
and so many of these kids
they are like seals on the land
they feel the beauty of their movements in a sea
that won't let them breathe
and here she stands
with her free hands
with her two free hands
If I could be a biologist
not a careers counselor
I’d write the last wish of each species
as it left the earth
she doesn't want to do harm
she doesn't need anything grand
at the parent teacher evenings they never understand
they wanna know her plans
for her free hands
for her two free hands
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2. |
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Hey I was keeping watch down stream last night
the river moving so very slowly
mud and gasoline
when I saw the signal
we agreed you'd do
if you needed to
if you needed to
all this time trying to
hold our places
in the water bending against the stream
we are young
but we don't get to live out our scenes
I feel it flood inside my head
when I know I am not welcome
when we dove off the bridge
we knew where the water was deepest
Hey I was keeping watch
downstream last night
the moon was rising toward the estuary
like a flood light on me
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They're electrifying the train lines
putting public art on the bridges
and it's just the sort of thing you've been writing in for
John just giggles on his saucer
he's visiting from Australia
he's come home for a cup of tea and to borrow your car
you say Son watch your speed on the main street
they should have kept in the crossings
they've turned walkers into targets out there
still it seems better now
out doing the rounds for the shopping
small grocers are appearing again
selling flowers outside
and you're attracting smiles from the cafe
you check your hair in the window glass
and like John says
you really do look better now you're all the way grey
always hoped to be a wise old man
when you ran for council
they called you a frustrated librarian
and you saw what they could do
with their money from developers
their people at the papers
they turned your own family against you
still you didn't hold it against the kids
when they begged to move away
because you were born before the motorway system
and you would wait for a new day as long as it would take
and maybe it's today
as you stare at the rain cleaned other side of the street
in new spring sunlight
maybe it's today
as the cars bank up at the railway lines
maybe it's today
as you step out with groceries on your shoulder
maybe it's today
as the children snigger at the new sculpture
and a car speeds around the corner
and you try to make eye contact with the driver in time
maybe it's today
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Anthonie Tonnon New Zealand
Anthonie Tonnon is a songwriter and performer based in Whanganui, New Zealand. In recent years, his work has focused on the immersive live shows, A Synthesized Universe and Rail Land. He has released two albums and three EPs, and is releasing the new album, Leave Love Out Of This in July. ... more
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