My New Book Greg Brown

Lipstick on a thermos cup
Lust and whiskey fill it up
And smoke blows from the chimney to the moon
It's much too cold in the Midwest -
Chilly hands cup chilly breasts
Things not said fill up every room
As he stands there in the door
There's no room for him anymore
She lies there saying
"Honey take one last look."
I'll tell it all in my new book

Above the city 300 feet
A derelict in a penthouse suite
Packs his suitcase for the midnight train
The rich girl could not face her dream
He's bitter coffee, she's sweet cream
She pulls on her shirt, outside it rains
And later in the rambling dark
He'll unwrap her broken heart
And smile the weary smile of the crook
I'll tell it all in my new book

Coyote sleeps with everyone
But in the morning he's long gone
And it turns out that he was a she
Tales grow tall around the fire
Where there's no truth, no one's a liar
Whatever mask you wear is who you'll be
There is a hole in the day
Through which we make our gateway -
I make mine every time I'm shook
I'll tell it all in my new book