Butter Knife

She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but she's not there
She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but you're not there

I was sat building sandcastles on the beach
When you appeared and told us you were swimming to Albania
A stallion in a black swimsuit
Long, russet mane fanned out behind

We watched as you submerged yourself in the water, no questions asked
3 hours later you were a dot on the horizon
I've never seen any one swim so fast

She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but you're not there

10 years later the same family holiday
Same beach, same house, same thing
7 of us on a rickety old boat, moored in the middle of the Ionian Sea
I watch you out of the corner of my sunglasses, you're unaware
Your daughter's in the water holding out her hand
But you're sullen, you're scared

She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but she's not there
She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but you're not there

It was your funeral today and no one could go because of coronavirus
It's hard to get my head round the idea that you're gone
We've been watching you fade so softly, so slowly, for so long
I was scared of your harshness, your sharpness, your edges
And your strength from before
But as you began to forget yourself, I grew to love you more

She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but she's not there
She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but you're not there

Serrated edges soften, blunt as a butter knife
No one's ever ready to watch someone they love lose their mind

Serrated edges soften, blunt as a butter knife
No one's ever ready to watch someone they love lose their mind

She doesn't remember they said
A head and a body but you're not there