We’re setting sail for a place on the map. From which no one has ever returned. Drawn by the promise of the Joker and the fool, and the light of the crosses that burn. Drawn by the promise of the women and the lace. And the gold and the cotton and pearls.

It’s the place where they keep all the darkness you need.

You sail away from the light of the world on this trip baby…

The Justice waved her wand.

On her face she wore a frown.

I asked if I could speak.

She gave a nod, I laid it down.

There was this awful thing.

A prejudgemetal kind of vibe.

But when I told the truth.

She knew the others lied.

She left and then returned.

The air changed cool to warm.

That’s where time stands still.

At the eye of the storm.

She lives with a broken man.

A cracked polystyrene man.

Who just crumbles and burns.

He used to do surgery.

For girls in the eighties.

But gravity always wins.

And it wears him out.

She looks like the real thing.

She tastes like the real thing.

My fake plastic love.

Why don’t you tell me about the mystery dance?

I want to know about the mystery dance?

Why don’t you show me. Cause I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’m still mystified.

I can’t do it anymore and I’m not satisfied.

Well I remember when the lights went out.

I was trying to make it look like it was never in doubt.

She thought that I knew and I thought that she knew. Both of us were willing… but we didn’t know how to do it.

Why don’t you tell me about the mystery dance?

You are talking, so much talking about a story so absurd.

Spitting lies and alibis. You are just like Amber Heard.

You are walking sweet and smiling. In my bed you shit a turd.

You are special sweet, a victim. You are just like Amber Heard.

And when the spotlights shining. All the lines they get so blurred.

You are angry, I am Johnny. You are just like Amber Heard.

In this world of love and reason, a strange conformity occurred.

Under the bright light of day. You are just our Amber Heard.

There’s a retired businessman named Red. He’s cast down from heaven and out of his head. Feeds off of everyone that he can touch.

He said he only deals in cash or sells tickets to a plane crash. He’s not someone you play around with much.

There ain’t no turning back when the foot of pride comes down… ain’t no turning back.

Hear you have a brother named James. Don’t forget faces and names . Sunken cheeks and his blood is mixed.

Looks straight into the sun and says revenue is mine.But he drinks and drinks can be fixed.

Sing me one more song about you, love me till the morning stranger. And your fall by the sword love affair with Errol Flynn.

In these times of compassion, where conformity is in fashion. Say one more stupid thing before the final nail is driven in.

There ain’t no turning back when the foot of pride comes down… ain’t no turning back.

Maybe I’m just like my father, too bold.

Maybe you’re just like my mother.

She’s never satisfied.

Why do we scream at each other.

This is what it sounds like when doves cry.

There is a part of me…

I keep under lock and key.

In high tower, buried under guard.

Nasty

Vile

Angry

Savage

Dangerous

And that’s just the guards…

He is bigger now and probably more dangerous. I have told him he is loved and maybe even lovable.

Even the guards have gotten old and soft. Everyone just wants to go home…

He said he’s found forgiveness and against my better judgment I have relented to the softer way.

Please don’t say I never warned you.

Painting by Eric Fischl

Dennis Mantin

I read the read the news today, oh boy.

4000 holes in Blackburn Lancashire.

And though the holes were rather small.

They had to count them all.

Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.

I’d love to turn you on.

Here come old flat top. He come grooving up slowly. He got joo joo eyeball. He one holy roller. He got hair down to his knee. Got to be a Joker, he just do as he please.

He wear no shoeshine. He got toe jam football. He got monkey finger. He shoot Coca-Cola. He say I know you, you know me. One thing I can tell you is you got to be free.

Come together right now over me.