Song Lyric for the Evening

[pat]

When things in my life are not what I would like, I run. Occasionally (rarely, these days) geographically, most often emotionally and socially. I am trying so hard not to do that right now, not to withdraw from contact with the entire human race. Listening to this helps keep me here.


The Moon and St. Christopher by Mary Chapin Carpenter

When I was young I spoke like a child
And saw with a child's eyes
And an open door was to a girl
Like the stars are to the sky
It's funny how the world lives up to
All your expectations
With adventures for the stout of heart
And the lure of the open spaces

There's two lanes running down this road
Whichever side you're on
That accounts for where you want to go
Or what you're running from
Back when darkness overtook me
On a blind man's curve

I relied upon the moon
I relied upon the moon
I relied upon the moon and St. Christopher

I've paid my dues caused I have owed them
But I've paid a price sometimes
For being such a stubborn woman
In such stubborn times
I have run from the arms of lovers
I have run from the eyes of friends
I have run from the hands of kindness
I have run just because I can

Now I've grown and I speak like a woman
And I see with a woman's eyes
And an open door is to me now
Like the saddest of goodbyes
When it's too late for turning back
I pray for the heart and the nerve

And I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon and St. Christopher

I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon and St. Christopher
To be my guide

(from the album Shooting Straight in the Dark</>, Mary Chapin Carpenter