| It took all the strength they knew not to consume you |
| And was all that I could muster just to kiss you |
| Watch my waist for days to take this place beside you |
| Like the way the one who loves you is supposed to |
| The way you used to |
| Did you forget? |
| When all who’d soon surpass me sought respect |
| The press still hung on every envied breath |
| And could you blame them? |
| We both said things that we’d come to regret |
| «Here comes success» |
| «You cash the checks» |
| You take my name |
| And braved it with this patience of the saints |
| I flirted with a fame which never came |
| Did doubts dissuade you? |
| Took pains to say «let nature have her way» |
| And 'course she did |
| And you bore the kid |
| These pangs of pride |
| As every eye moves onto you |
| And though you quiet every room |
| It’s sometimes hard to hear the truth |
| And sighs aside |
| The way the limelights long for you |
| They shine their colors on me, too |
| And now there’s nothing I can do |
| What child is this? |
| The heir to my illusive parentage |
| That face of his could take him far from this |
| But I’m still childless |
| And neither knows just who the father is |
| The rabbit’s dead |
| Well, she easily leapt (?) |
| You’ve made your name |
| And trouble loves the cuckold of acclaim |
| These kids can’t sense the difference either way |
| And can you blame them? |
| When all my memories now bear your name |
| And sure we’ve been blessed |
| Well, more or less |
| These pangs of pride |
| As every eye collides with you |
| And though you quiet every room |
| It’s always hard to hear the truth |
| And sighs aside |
| The way the limelight smothers you |
| They cast their colors on me, too |
| Now they’ll remember me through you |
| Does this amuse you? |
| Am I supposed to? |
| It wasn’t meant to |
| Pay your respects |
| It’s grand, I guess, to treat this like a death |
| Though now somehow less readily erect |
| I might surprise you |
| And rise to the occasion now and then |
| Flesh of my flesh |
| Don’t hold your breath |
| Is life unkind? |
| Well, pride resolves of all things in due time |
| But who contrives this legacy I leave behind |
| To those born after? |
| Obliged to let the master think she’s right |
| O long-suffering wife |
| Hell, high tide |
| I’m by your side |
| It was all that they could do not to consume you |
| And was all that I could muster just to kiss you |
| Watch my waist for fifteen days to stand beside you |
| Like the way the one who loves you is supposed to |
| I have my use, too |