Ruth & Ammy

We almost lost Ruth to that Gypsy that she met in Curio Bay
but when push comes to shove
that gypsy couldn’t love, so we packed up and went on our way
finishing each other’s sentences since we were twelve or thirteen
two British girls. traveling the world,
with college degrees and pale skinny knees

We’ve seen Orion upside down
been alone at nightfall on the streets of Capetown
drove the Nullabor for miles and miles
just to watch the Southern Cross roll by
I never sang like I sang that night
for Ruth and Ammy

If there had been two gypsies
we might have put down some roots
Ammy said with a grin “Cupid’s worn himself thin
trying to find two arrows to shoot
one day we’ll have families
gardens in the British rain
two kids apiece, chickens and geese
Mum down the street, memories so sweet”

We’ve seen Orion upside down
been alone at nightfall on the streets of Capetown
drove the Nullabor for miles and miles
just to watch the Southern Cross roll by
I never sang like I sang that night
for Ruth and Ammy

These days when my voice gets caught up in my throat
I know all the words but I can’t sing a note
I think of those girls, traveling the world
out on that beach, just out of reach

We’ve seen Orion upside down
been alone at nightfall on the streets of Capetown
brove the Nullabor for miles and miles
just to watch the Southern Cross roll by
I never sang like I sang that night
for Ruth and Ammy