The Menagerie, Part 1: Vermes

by Descendence

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1.	Vermes 00:50	info	buy track
2.	Algae 03:14	lyrics	buy track
You are, but before you, I was I was; still, I am and will be We'll be with each other for good, For goodness has partnered with me With meaning, foreseeing, I breathed A breath (atmospheric, that sigh) That sign paved the way before you, For you require air to survive "Survival" sums only one part: When particles act like a wave, A way forward flickers in eyes... And I separate "light" and "shade" In shades painting women, I'm seen, Amazing beholders of art I've heartened lost sailors at sea As scenes of blue flames guide their ark There are curses old I've annulled (In all despair, life yet abides): A bride from her slave-master freed - Her freedom to love was my prize Apprising you was not to vaunt; I've wanted, just this, from the start: A star to illumine the way Away from gloom to where you are You are, but before you, I was I was and will be; still, I am I am your defender for good For goodness is your promised land
3.	Coral 04:08	lyrics	buy track
Sun, moon, and earth aligned I'll wet your lips with wine Coral, you're a light of love Salt-white dressed water bride Hands beckon, like the tides Coral, your allure is love Cathedrals are your bones Their halls could be my home Coral, you're allowed to love Cut quick, you kiss with teeth Your reef brings no relief Coral, you're aloof in love Your terrors leave you cursed Reverse your barriers Coral, you're alone, but loved You've bleached those sweet, brown eyes These words are do-or-die Coral, you're always my love Coral, you're always beloved Dear Coral, Yours always, Once-loved
4.	Leech 03:58	lyrics	buy track
Poisoning the girls and boys Telling fairy tales of Hell Tucking in the ugly ducks Blowing kisses under clothes Blood is in the heartbeat And blood is on the lips And blood oaths pacify the sacrificed in cribs and crypts Covering up daddy's love Moving to remove the proof Wetting beds but blaming pets Playing hide-and-seek each day Blood is in the alley And blood is on the walls And blood red lights paint downtown men unfriendly to their dolls Witnessing the greatest hits Using force to crush abuse Saving faceless waves of waifs Getting praised; forgetting kids Blood is in the body And blood is on the hands And blood bath facials crave complexions fairest in the land Stumbling on Gretel's crumbs Waiting games decide her fate Blaming God avoids self-shame Preaching tactics of a leech
5.	Snail 02:10	lyrics	buy track
most pathetic snail chased forever by his tail worming teardrop trails
6.	Octopus 03:20	lyrics	buy track
Detachment leaves ourselves unarmed. We'll reach for comrades to embrace, But fall, betrayed by the false arms Detachment leaves. Ourselves, unarmed Of hatred's hatchets, swallow harm's Acidic testing till the day Detachment leaves ourselves. Unharmed, We'll reach for comrades to embrace.

about

"Animals of slow motion, soft substance, able to increase their bulk and restore parts which have been destroyed, extremely tenacious of life, and the inhabitants of moist places. Many of them are without a distinct head, and most of them without feet. They are principally distinguished by their tentacles. By the Ancients they were not improperly called imperfect animals."

- Carl Linnaeus, Systema Naturæ

credits

released July 24, 2015

All poems written by Jay Bates
All music written, performed, mixed, and mastered by Christoper Noyes
Audio recordings produced by Christoper Noyes, Trey Penton, & Jay Bates

Vocals on Algae, Coral, Leech, Snail, & Octopus by Jay Bates
Vocals on Coral, Snail, & Octopus by Katherine Dunn
Vocals on Snail & Octopus by Christoper Noyes
Vocals on Leech by Kaylie Murphy
Vocals on Vermes by Steve Young
Background vocals on Octopus by Evan Hildreth, Alex Gispert, Phillip Oliver, Michael Oliver, & Tim Wagner

All poems and recordings 2014 Jay Bates
Produced in partnership with The Two Keys Press

No animals were harmed in the writing of these poems.