Lyrics
The sidewalk bends where your house ends
The sidewalk curves at the edge of your property
Like the neighborhood is on its knees
It feels like the neighborhood is in a state of distress
You're surrounded by a chain link fence
Your surroundings are enclosed by a chain link fence
That keeps me out but let me see
The fence keeps the speaker out but allows observation
Well, I come by most every night
The speaker visits regularly, hearing the shutters in the wind
The shutters pounding in the breeze
Shutters are making noise due to the wind
A clothesline strung like paper kites
A clothesline is compared to paper kites in the wind
That blow my words right back at me
Words spoken by the speaker are blown back by the wind
But someday when my heart exhales
Expressing a desire to reveal one's true feelings
I'll tell you everything
A promise to share everything when the time is right
Those sweet words spilling all about us
Imagining sharing affectionate words
I'll say please, please be with me
An earnest plea for the person to be with the speaker
And I'll breathe so easily
Anticipating relief and comfort when the truth is shared
But instead I'm turning blue
Feeling suffocated and unable to express true feelings
I look at you
Looking at the person without speaking
And keep my stupid mouth shut
Choosing to keep quiet despite the desire to speak
The hall light streams out through the screens
Light from the hallway shines through screens
And the shadows capture me in webs
Shadows entangle the speaker in a metaphorical web
Just tangled up in what I've seen
Feeling caught up in the things observed
And every word I have not said, I have not said
Regretting the unspoken words and missed opportunities
'Cause the sidewalk bends where your house ends
Repetition of the setting, emphasizing the distance
Like the neighborhood is on its knees
Reiteration of the distressed neighborhood imagery
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