Garden

It takes a couple seconds for her to shake off the medicine
A couple seconds more to know it's me
It takes a couple minutes, but then we're right back in it
Right where we left off the other week

Her body is a frame with the skin all stretched and stained
And a faded crown of grey caught in her hair
Her place is on a throne, not in this God-forsaken home
Where they dope her up to keep her pushing air

But she says, "I'm not scared to die, I'll look my maker in the eye
And in his gaze, I hope that I find peace
But now that the ship comes in, I've just one prayer left on my lips
Lord, take me kindly if you please"

It takes a couple hours before she's tired of your flowers
Reminds her of the garden she can't grow
For it's freedom she's missing - just to make her own decisions
Keep living how she's living 'til she goes

Her body is a frame with the skin all stretched and stained
And she wears that crown of grey just like a queen
Her place is on a throne, not in this God-forsaken home
Where the medicine's becoming the disease

But she says, "I'm not scared to die, I'm scared that I might lose my mind
And end up like the woman down the hall
How she screamed when her time had come; God knows she's not the only one
So Lord, take me kindly when you call"

And I am standing in your garden, and it is easy to forget
That there is bound to be a harvest, and the season will end

But she says, "Don't be scared to die; I'll tell you now, you'll lose the fight
Just let it be a lamp unto your feet
For the time that you have today, and when you're old you'll learn to pray
'Lord, take me kindly if you please'"

Lord, take her kindly for me