To Return Now Swingin' Utters

standing up to the world and all you see, now
telling yourself you've gone away for good, now
but there's not enough time
and there's no really good reason
to return now

feeling horrid and happy seems the same, now
a crazed grin and furrowed brow's the norm, now
but you know there's a difference
a subtle inhibition
that you try to block out of
your fragile mind now

giving all that you've got to think good thoughts, now
and you find you've given all of it to her, now
but there's not enough time
and there's no really good reason
to return now

I've heard 'em say "everybody plays the fool", now
but I'll never be anybody's dupe, no
'cause there's not enough time
and always a good reason
to return now

I've felt pain, I've been anesthetized
by sharper tongues and brighter eyes
weak at the knees and petrified
I've bowed down before and fucked my pride
the last time I went away
was only when I was out of my mind
but this time it's for real
and I can't get myself to get up to return now (Koski)

---