Hallelujah I’m listening to a recording of you sleeping next to me A capella I’m listening to you cover Elliott Smith’s ‘Angeles’
It’s these times I’ll need if you go It’s these times I’ll need if you go
So
Get better, my darling I know you will Get better, my darling I know you will get better
I’m drawn to the motorway The cold whoosh of trucks passing This night-time under sodium light The orange spread is soul-quieting
A younger you and a younger me Meeting at the Serpentine I am yours You are mine
Happy birthday Staff smuggled in a card I made It rests under your pillow When out of ICU, you’ll cringe at all the “I love yous” That card retired the life of one biro
At this time, I wanted you to know At this time, I wanted you to know
Get better, my darling I hope you will Get better, my darling I hope you will get better
I’ll start the day with tiramisu Raise a spoon to frontline workers An underfunded principle They risk all to be there for us
A younger you and a younger me Meeting at the Serpentine I am yours You are mine
You were the baker I’ll christen this new era With the smell of freshly-baked bread Your Nutella, I’ll keep it in the cellar You were always a fan of that spread
Six months on, there’s a car crash outside The fire brigade using the jaws of life No flush at night to sound your return I still pretend you’re only out of sight
Front garden bouquet, I threw it at the fire brigade I was admonished and told to go back inside From the living-room window I stand and watch the white sheet go Over the family car and I close my eyes
I still pretend you’re only out of sight in another room Smiling at your phone I still pretend you’re only out of sight in another room Smiling at your phone I still pretend you’re only out of sight in another room Smiling at your phone I still pretend you’re only out of sight in another room Smiling at your phone I still pretend
A younger me, a younger you Meeting at the Serpentine The beginning of spring You wore those yellow ripped jeans Your look defined my 2009 Your shyness stoked my boldness “Shall we go in?” I smiled Your hand warmed, walking through the gallery
(Get better) I know I will (Get better) My darling I know I will