Vertumnus

I've been standing right here since the first day I remember
And remembrance 's what I was raised for
A stanza on my socle sets a Thursday in September
Says I took stance whenever, 404

Now my name, it got forgotten as inscriptions been fading
While I'm just standing still, come rain or shine
But it turns out that I'm a different shape every time
A different person, eventually, casts his "I" on me

Well, I stay
As they
Come and go on their way
Some may
Someday
Maybe meet me again
I'm not just a statue
Instead you
See a little bit of yourself
Mirrored by me

Most don't mind what I remind of
But still, I do remind them of memories and moments, each their own
Of comedies, more tragedies that they just leave behind when
They incise those scratches in my stone

My marble skin is getting thin like pages of a diary
My stony bones, 'though bend and bow, don't break
It's a burden I can't abide, I'm weak and broken deep inside, can't seek
A safe haven to hide, 'cause I am petrified

But I stay
As they
Come and go on their way
Some may
Someday
Maybe meet me again
I stand like a statue
So that you
Can force a little bit of yourself
Right onto me

I stay
As they
Come and go on their way
Some may
Someday
Mutilate me again
And I'm just a statue
For you
So you do maim my name, my memory
My identity

Well, I'll remain
The same but not the same
Without a name
I'll stain, it's all in vain

And I'll remain
The same but turn insane
My stone will stain
I'm slain, oh, what a shame

Wind and rain
They'll maim my face and frame
Can't take the pain
Restrain once more again

The acid rain
Will maim my face and frame
The stress, the strain
The pain, constant refrain