Rope’s Length / My Employer

Go and tie it to the dock so it doesn't
Float out into the middle of things
I'd make you jump in after it in all your clothes
Just to drag it back

But I want it at rope's length
If it's not being used

I'm aware of my age
My impermanence and so forth
I've made arrangements to change
But my nature makes its case

And then the work comes first
I'm sorry again
I can't think two things at once
I don't mean to be so cold
But if it means a movie alone
It could be worse

I found fire when I was twelve
I was an obsessive kid
And I can count on one finger
The people that can hurt me now

And then the work comes first
I'm sorry if I shut off
Never been able to do both
So I keep my nose down
And if it means a movie alone
It could be worse

Stare at the dark and wait for the sun
That always comes up on the wrong day
I throw out all my old calendars
By tossing them into the lake
I keep them all a few feet from shore
And then I shoot myself into space

I want it at rope's length
If it's not being used
I throw the ropes around my waist
If I'm not being used