The News from Your Bed
The Isolation Symphony: Absence in Life's Celebration
Lyrics
You were saving the date
You had plans for an important event
But you woke up too late
But you overslept and missed the appointed time
Pulled the covers down over your head
You're avoiding the world by hiding under your covers
You haven't left your front door
You haven't ventured outside for at least a week
For a week maybe more
Isolating yourself, asking for updates from your bed
Tell me, hey, what's the news from your bed
Questioning someone about the recent events in your life
You know your face is all covered with your birthday cake
Your face is covered with the remnants of a birthday celebration
That you're eating in the kitchen at home
Eating birthday cake alone in the kitchen
Another banner year, a splendid day
Reflecting on another successful year
Another inch or two that you've grown
Noting physical growth but feeling lonely
But it's hard to celebrate on your own
Difficulty celebrating without company
There's a mouse in cupboard that nibbles your crumbs
A mouse in your cupboard becomes a nighttime companion
And you talk to him every night
You engage in conversation with the mouse
You say, “Hey, Mr. Whiskers, I'm bored and I'm numb
Expressing boredom and numbness
You can stay if you just treat me right.”
Offering companionship to the mouse if treated well
Just last year you were fortunate baby
Recalling a better year when friends were plentiful
And your friends circled around you in droves
Friends surrounded you in large numbers
Are they thinking of you? Maybe just maybe
Wondering if they still think of you
But not a one has bothered to phone
No one has bothered to reach out
Tell me where oh where did they go
Questioning the disappearance of friends
Called a car an hour ago
Arranged for a car an hour ago
You're gonna take yourself out
Planning to go out despite adverse weather
Despite the cold and snow
Considering self-isolation
Did they forget about you
Feeling forgotten by others
Are they in on it too?
Suspecting others might be involved in the isolation
You're sitting looking in the mirror
Reflecting on oneself in the mirror
At your dancing shoes
Examining one's dancing shoes, possibly a metaphor for life
When your family calls you make nice to them all
Pretending to be fine when talking to family
And assure them you're fine and you're great
Assuring family members of well-being
Then you cry in the bath, cry so hard that you laugh
Expressing emotional release through laughter and tears
Then you watch television til late
Finding solace in late-night television
Who do you need? Nobody.
Emphasizing self-sufficiency and independence
You're lucky nobody's around
Being fortunate in solitude
I can pour my own drinks
Rejecting assistance with pouring drinks
No thanks, Mister. Go on, and get out of town
Politely declining company and suggesting departure
And you're gorgeous in your evening gown.
Appearing elegant and confident in formal attire
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