I'm on the wrong side of Heaven,
I'm on the outside looking in,
Peeping through a window
At the warmth that lay within.

On the low side of Paradise,
Out along the fringe,
The streets are just gold-plated,
And with corrosion, tinged

Beyond the reach of Zion,
Somewhere across the tracks,
With the Fallen's tarnished halos,
Their wings all burnt and black

I walk along the boundary line
Here I'm forced to dwell-
Not saint enough for Heaven,
Nor sinner fit for Hell.

Another six-pack in,
Another bottle down,
Just leave me alone
And let me drown
             Let me drown
                   Let me drown...

Would you raise a little hell for me
While I'm sleeping in my grave?
Would you say a little prayer for me
While I'm dancing in the flames?

After all I did and died for you,
After all the **** you put me through,
Best believe me when I say it's true
I'm gon' raise a little hell for you...
Gon' raise a little hell!

I'm back again to walk these streets!
I want war, I don't want peace!
A pound of flesh if it's diseased,
That's all I really need!

Gon' claw my way up through the dirt
Gon' salt the wound until it hurts!
The devil's come (to) collect his due!
When I raise a little hell for you!

I hope the flames are burning bright
When you sink into the earth tonight
To dance in their internal light
Cause-

After all I did and died for you,
After all the **** you put me through,
Best believe me when I say it's true
I'm gon' raise a little hell for you!
Gonna raise a little hell...
Gonna raise a little hell...

I have begun to live in real life,
As opposed to fantasy-
Dreams are very well and nice,
But don’t pay bills, you see?

So I’ll hide myself in work,
And drink to dull the mind-
Should anyone ask what’s wrong,
With a hap-hap-happy smile on,
I’ll simply say “I’m fine.”

There are times the wolves are silent,
And only the moon howls;
The creeping night the only thing
That in the darkness, growls.

The trees whisper 'twixt themselves
As the wind softly moans,
And houses shift and grumble,
Settling on their bones.

Shadows dart about and play
As we lull ourselves to sleep,
Praying for the feeble light
To keep us within reach.

The stars are beautiful from the beach-
Especially on this moonless night
Bright and sparkling, every pinpoint
Reflected on the black water,
Dancing with the soft motion
Of windswept waves
The same sea breeze tousling my hair

They look almost close enough to touch
To reach out and pluck
Right from the inky black bay
To hold like some errant firefly
Far from home

Standing upon the silken sand
Feeling it work its way between my toes
I begin to walk toward the lights
A siren call beating within my brain

Just a little closer…

Quickly
The waves lap at my feet
The soft caress of the water
Gentle and welcoming

Another step, another step
My intrusion rippling against the break
Stars dancing farther from my fingers
Still so tantalizingly close

Just a little closer…

Farther, deeper
The warm silk of the bay
Enveloping me like
A lover’s arms
A mother’s hug
Comforting and calming

Almost there, just a little more…

My feet no longer touch
The shifting sands below
Yet still
I move forward
Borne away by the tide

Floating, fighting to grasp
Just one burning pinprick
Of starlight
To feel its warmth within my palm

Just a little closer…

Floundering, fishing for
One final, futile touch
(I’m sinking)
Arms outstretched
Reaching toward those
Teasing
Tantalizing
Stars
No longer sure where they lie
(And oh, they lie)
Surf or sky
And still they sing

Just a little closer…

II

Just let me flip the sign,

There’s no need to be disturbed.



Now that you’re inside, Sir,

Please,

Please, have a seat-

Let me have a tiny peek

At what you need

What you seek

Inside your mind,

I won’t tell!



Privacy

Is guaranteed

For my clientele



If you gaze into the crystal here

Your wish shall then become

Crystal clear-

Just a joke, my dear customer

To lighten up your mood



Now tell me every fantasy;

Everything you wished to be;

All the wonders you want to see

Performed for you today!



Oh?

What’s this we have here?

What’s that pretty bauble there?

Is it your pretty lover fair

With emerald eyes and raven hair?

I can spin a dream from that-



Are you sure there’s nothing more?

Nothing exciting in that head of yours?

It’ll be your dream, after all

Why not look deeper in my crystal ball-

You’re already here, within my grasp,

Surely that’s not much to ask-

I only want to help!



Did you ever seek to be a king?

Or was being rich a flight of passing

Fancy in your thoughts?



Ah, well,

It’s your decision, after all

I’m just the lever that makes the pieces fall

Oh-so-neatly into place.



That’s a good lad,

Reconsider, all your wishes

Can be had-

I can make them real today!



With a wave of my hand

I can make it all yours!

That is, of course,

After we discuss my fee-

I’m afraid I don’t deal in money,

Nothing so droll,

So normal and dreary

Really appeals to me.



But what I want, dear boy,

Is simple enough, and can suffice

Just a teensy-weensy, small

Tiny bit of your life-



Come now, come now,

Don’t make that face

Like you’re abhorred;

You’re young and virile, with much in store!

I wouldn’t think of taking it first-

Nothing so ghastly, I’ll take the worst!



Just a few years off the very end

You won’t miss them at all, my friend-

Time from when you’re old and grey,

Your body past it’s glory days-

You won’t even notice, I promise.



Of course,

For a slightly steeper rate-

Forget the dreams! How ‘bout fate?



Live the rest of your life in luxury

In control of everything you see

And anything your heart desires

That sets your mind and soul a-fire

Can all be yours as well!



I see I hold your attention,

Did I perhaps, forget to mention

That little trinket of knowledge?



See right here,

The back of my card

Underneath the moon and stars-

It’s fine print, I know it’s hard

To read;

I do the occasional miracle on the side

Completely, 100% certified-

Or your money back. Guaranteed.

You can put your trust in me.