Memorial - Devendra Banhart

I wish you had been at your memorial

Seeing someone proposing on stage

I couldn’t get through my song for you

When it came to saying your name

I can still see the room at the hospital

Pretty painted tile

I can still see your skin turning purple

Milly of the Nile

Can you hear me?

Did you mean it?

Did you plan it out,

Or was it an accident?

Time, time, up and down the blue screen

It’s dawn and I’m insane

Love’s just a word and not what the word means

But I’ll say it just the same

Talking to an entity

Made of endless night

I dream in TV dialogue

A world of shadow and light

I know it don’t work that way

But maybe you’ll come back someday

I know it don’t work like that

But maybe you can take it back

Now that there’s no need to say a word

Can I still make amends?

But silence — the only kindness I heard

Forgiveness — the only revenge

Meeting all of the people

I’ve heard of from your past

Reading through all of your letters

Looking for your love

You told me that love

Is when someone asks you

«Please leave me alone»

And you really do

You looked into my eyes

Till I was your mother and son

I tried to look away

But saw you in every one

I wish you had been at your memorial

Seeing someone proposing on stage