Big Top
I wonder what it’ll look like
When the big top falls
The stripes are all deflated
And the old crow calls
Crimson is falling fast
It’s bleeding from the walls
And the days go by
The clowns are all frustrated
The old girl lied
The velvet is a painting
Of a king who died
The tribute is a scandal
It’s written on the sky
And the days go by
I wonder what it’ll look like
When the big top falls
The spiral’s spinning backwards
And it’s free for all
Crimson is falling fast
It’s bleeding from the walls
And the days go by
© 2010 Kat Downs
Water Stain
Winter calling
Got a little fresh
On a killer magazine
Sunday scene
Got a little heart on my sleeve
And a little coffee on the table leaf
Listen Brother
Got a little moisture in the atmosphere
Fruitless cheer
Got a little chill in my bones
And a little cold in my soul
Listening to you
I’d think I’m a miracle
Sweetly seduced by the
A better me
But harrowing as you
Maybe
I am
Free will
I’ll fight you
You
You win
I hear you I hear you
You said
Suffer this beautiful
Terrible
Water stain
Trumpeting Truths
Just too hot to handle
I made it for you
For love
I made you for me
For love
It’s a mark on your skin
A mark on my skin
Might I request
A moment of holy
Of memory
Of peace
Of amen once again
Might I request
A moment of silence
To mourn for the loss of myself
Might I request
Just a moment to wonder
Who are you
I heard
Winter Calling
Got a little fresh
On a killer magazine
Sunday scene
Got a little heart on my sleeve
And a little coffee on the table leaf
© 2008 Kat Downs
Tidal Wave
Language more familiar than you
Trial more forgiving than true
I dropped my shingle
See it’s frozen halfway down
I am suspended
But my eyes are upside downChorus:
Matching and smiling this
Glorious Tidal Wave
Movement of clarity
Moments are swept away
Broken upon the rocks
But when the water recedes
You are a vessel formed
Strong from the holy debris
Riches more deceiving than cruel
Kisses more yellow than blue
Some color crayon
Maybe a burnt sierra red
I scrawl a smile across my face
And climb back into bed
Delicious paradox
The flower grows with all her might
Kat seems distracted, boys
But her reflexes are tight
Bridge:
Waiting for the one who
Keeps on climbing
In the sun and rain
A rainbow’s hiding
Waiting for the one who
Keeps on building
Even when it’s cold
The sun’s still showing
Looking out for all the world to see
She wears a green dress
And it’s like a dream
She wears a green dress
And she’s inside of me
© 2006 Kat Downs
In Code
I signed the petition
I got the call
The pre-recorded voice said
Don’t hang up your phone
We will take back
Our lives that they have stole
And you are with us
I got the letter
The envelope was green
I hid it in a drawer
The contents unseen
Now I’m an army
I am a deadly force
And I feel stronger
Than I’ve ever felt before
It’s biological
Nerologicial
The arsenal is hidden in a multitude of homes
We are brothers
Kept under cover
We are mighty
From many we are one
Chorus:
And I know what do do ‘cause I heard it
On the radio
I know what to do ‘cause I heard it
On the radio
And I know what to do ‘cause I heard it
On the radio
In code
I put the mask on
It covered my whole face
I ripped the letter and the powder blew away
I am an army
I am a deadly force
And I feel stronger
Than I’ve ever felt before
© 2011 Kat Downs
Phantom
I’m the thing
You see at night
When all the lights are low
And I’m the one that creeps in shadows
‘Round every corner you go
I read your thoughts
I see your eyes
Searching for some kind of compromise
But no deals here,
Nothing but fear
It’s good to be the phantom
I’m the noise you hear at midnight
And the footsteps on the stair
And I’m the one that’s quietly watching
Do you feel my icy stare
I’ll smother you like a blanket
Until you loose your mind
I know it’s hard to believe but I’ll never leave
It’s good to be the phantom
Did you leave the light on baby
Did you think that that would help you
Why don’t you leave the light on baby
If you think that’s gonna protect you
Boo.
I’m in your dreams my dear
You know that’s nothing new
Scream all you want my dear,
There’s no one there to hear you
Smother you like a blanket
You’re gonna lose your mind
Before you know it your hands are tied
And you’re mine
And it’s good to be
The phantom
© 2001 Kat Downs
Cleo
Green
He said Tuesday’s green
And it saved my life
He said summer’s dead
But she’s moving in many directionsThere’s a secret here
Hidden in calculations
When it’s perfectly clear
You’ll leave me hanging
What a selfish beast I am
I thought
Am I mistaken
But it’s a selfish kind of day
He said the season’s changed
And he’s looking for any suggestions
There’s a secret here
Hidden in calculations
When it’s perfectly clear
You’ll leave me hanging
What’s Cleo got that I ain’t got
Your hands are shaking
What’s Cleo got that I ain’t got
I think my mind is racing
While she follows me
To the Searchlight Market
For a magic bag
Like it’s a mission from God
He said the futures clear
What I’m lacking is merely conviction
There’s a secret here
Hidden in calculations
When it’s perfectly clear
You’ll leave me hanging
What’s Cleo got that I ain’t got
My hands are shaking
What’s Cleo got that I ain’t got
I guess the tides are changing
While she follows me
© 2005 Kat Downs
My Beloved
Your kiss will bite me
That cut will bleed
Your touch will hurt me
Fulfill my need
And I feel you running down my leg
A brutal slap across your face
I taste your salt between my teeth
And I bite the hand that loves me
My beloved
You’re perfect poison in my veins
But I will fight you
Just enough to play the game
Your ropes will bind me
I smell the leather of your skin
You show no mercy
And the sting will warm my skin
My beloved
You are inspired by my cries
I’m resurrected with your nails in my side
You show no mercy
I am swimming in my sin
The metal bites me
And my blood will stain your skin
My beloved
You’re perfect poison in my veins
But I will fight you
Just enough to play the game
Your ropes will bind me
I smell the leather of your skin
You show no mercy
And the sting will warm my skin
©2011 Kat Downs