Odessa

it is but a dated flower i bring to you

it is but a violet glistening with dew

for in our hearts our love for you lies unrevealed

a stale romance and the solitude we share

have dragged you to the beach to find me there

every promise undone glittering in the sun

in the golden sway of violence

that morning you came and you stood in disbelief

in longing and shame - the presentiment of grief

to forgive and to define this treachery of mine

you took off your clothes in silence

this sweet blue secrecy, the demands of destiny

now who will serve your pleasure, who will serve your greed?

now that the men you treasured belong to the fleet

and watch the morrow’s tide, that frail and beautiful bride

what a very strange season this is

from the tender ax of springtime, defying the snows

to the streaming summer’s hatchet she rose

now all covered with lime under an indifferent sky

we smother everything in kisses

will we know eternity? will we forge a way to see?

who will serve your pleasure, who will serve your greed?

now that the men you treasured belong to the fleet

and watch the morrow’s tide, that frail and beautiful bride

what a very strange season this is

from the tender ax of springtime, defying the snows

to the streaming summer’s hatchet she rose

now all covered with lime under an indifferent sky

we smother everything in kisses

oh, we smother everything in kisses