Sharpen The Cutlass

you were scratchin' like a cat in the backyard
diggin' through the trash and the cigarette ash
lookin' for what you lost last night
askin your father, "what happened to your daughter?"
there was something in a cloud that killed her
it sucked out all the air but the smoke was still there
she asked her lungs to breathe in
they said:
"man, i'd really like to
and i don't wanna fight you
but i just can't get no O2."

i was smilin' at the sounds of the seagulls
standin in the sand where the sea meets the land
watchin the waves hit my ankles
askin my father, "what happened to sea water?"
"was it always so cold and painful?
or was there a time when it wouldn't sting my eyes
and stick in my cuts like a scissor?
was there a time when it was kinder,
when it was a reminder of just how soft this world can be?"