The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella - Bell X1

She was only just a girl in a picture

But he thought if I could only make her smile

Then she’d be mine

He’d folded it, re-folded it so many times

He’d already lost some of her to the creases

Precious pieces

He wondered how close he’s ever been to her

In this ebb and flow of the distance between us

Maybe she got the same bus

And he left a trail of string wherever he went

When he was sleepin', he tied it to his toe

If she crossed it, then he’d know

But he knew

That all was unravelling

And he was bare

Stripped of his skin

Like the ribs of a broken umbrella

Sticking out of a bin

He’d pull his collar up against the wind

Against those who said that trying was the first step to failing

Oh he was railing

And filled with newfound purpose and pride

He’d make something of this heady glow

Now where would she go?