Icarus
The heart monitor bleeps it's alarm, my eyes open wearily
I see the webbing on the ceiling, the same old scenery
For four months and countless hours I've been in this lobby wishing
For parole from the gaol, and my body is the prison
A 'tragic accident' the papers called it, it was the alcoholic
Tech who didn't safety check the ropes for the love of Jack
And at showtime, after the slow climb, man, did I fall quick
Hit the deck, a sea of darkness, after that, no coming back
Broken vertebrae and brain damage, irreversible, stated facts
And then it washes over my eyesight, mottled, mainly black
I try to lift a finger, but they're strongman's weights
Lion tamer's whips strip ribbons of pain down my face
And my head's a clown car, jam packed with broken glass
Can't even inhale my tongue so I can choke my last
I juggle thoughts of cheering crowds, shocked gasps at acrobatics
I was the charismatic Icarus, they said my act was magic
Still the music from the Big Top plays it's merry tune
A funeral march in the dark, sterile, hospital room
The love of performance was harmless as a baited trap
And then it bleeds into my sight again, mottled, mainly black
Visiting hours are in session and an Angel walks in
She's never late, despite the pain etched in her forced grin
Today's our anniversary, she still wears the wedding band
And greets with sweet small talk, takes my trembling hand
I try to say 'I love you' but instead I just burble
I knew my job was dangerous, I never meant to hurt you..
I try to ask her to smother me, turn off the bloody machine!
But blessed release from this nightmare is something I couldn't dream
The shadows lengthen as the day ends, there's the snick of the latch
The door closes as the colour comes, mottled, mainly black