I always draw the joker from a soundly shuffled deck
I'm haunted by a ghost I'll never be
My soul's in shreds from jagged teeth
I bless my many suicides
With names I cannot force myself to say
When nightmares form the basis of an era called "today"
When dreams are but diversion for a wink
I wish I was my own best friend
I'd have the time for everyone
I'd have the time to sigh and laugh and cry

Talismans command the winds that blow you out the door
While I remove my shades and see the light
Your mouth speaks louder without sound
Your words resound without a strap of truth
That I can put my money on
So if I find an ace or king while looking up your dress
We'll call the jokers wild and start anew
This game is played while traps are laid
The rules are never written
But embossed in braille for love is truly blind

Preach the poison, prime the prey
Light the fuse and step away
Blow it all away to the abyss
Do I understand you need
Banishment in words and deed
What did I do to deserve all this

You can't let me down easy
'Cos I've sworn to take it hard
I'll take it any way I rightly can
Love shall be my punishment for falling back in love
Because I should have learned my lesson years ago
When nightmares form the backdrop for my every waking hour
When dreams are lies that other people lead
I wish I was my own best friend
I'd have the strength to live alone
I'd have the strength to sigh and laugh and cry