You, Asleep in the Morning

from Orlando by Seafarers

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lyrics

A tiny bird lies dying in the closing heat.
I watch in silence.
Fleeting shadows dart across its broken beak,
and fatted flies feast amongst the matted down.
I’m sure I had a meeting but I can’t think. Or speak.

Years ago.

When I knew, as much as I ever did. You,
asleep in the morning. Naked, save for socks.
Sallow tissue, limbs askew, adrift within this pallid plot.
I flipped my phone and climbed atop the counterpane,
to view.

All was long forgotten. That is, until today.
Where this tawny clump of feathers ruffle in decay.
A heritage of huntsmen stand proud above their prey.

But, under my skin there drifts a doubt.
A mawkish ferment fills my mouth.
And gut blood drips down ratline ribs.

Inevitable, considering. Reactionary.

We were sleeping then on separate sheets.
Our cattish clawing had me weak
and I was never one to speak, nor try to make amends.
Then there it was. You, asleep in the morning.
Drunk. Alone. But, gentle.
And it was all I couldn’t do to forever own your pain.

Late lunch break, heading back to work.
An isolated office clerk.
I’m reminded of our torment by a torn and mangled bird.

It’s you, you see it always was!
I prise apart my cameras jaws
to take a final snapshot.
You’ve lain dormant since that day.

I turn to leave, to retch or run, stricken in the autumn sun,
and deep below the pavement,
a rumbling insists.

Up through roots and down from trees,
clatter branches, feelings free, and at my feet,
the strangest thing,
the bird’s neck twists, unclasps its wings.

The gauzy film that blinds its eye dissolves
and you make haste to fly.

Now, back to the flat.
You stir, you stretch,
I topple, my head upon your chest,
you wrap your arms around me,
release your weary breath
and then, with a dumb crescendo,
the fact is screaming true,
one simple realisation,
of which I’m sure you knew:

That I always, always loved you and never knew what to do.

credits

from Orlando, released November 27, 2020
Lauren Kinsella - voice
Matthew Herd - voice
Tom Taylor - piano

Tom Gibbs - clarinet
Philip Cardwell - trumpet
Kevin Garrity - trombone

Produced by Euan Burton at Real World Studios
Mixed by Euan Burton at GloWorm Recording
Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis Studios

Engineer - Patrick Phillips
Assistant Engineer - Katie May

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all rights reserved

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Seafarers London, UK

Seafarers are a London based group of musicians uniting some of the most prominent voices in contemporary folk and improvised music.

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