my phone rang in the night time
all the darkness closing in
where the conversation ended
if it ever did begin
and i saw her distant gazes
and with words she grasped for more
and i hugged her from a distance
like i never had before
people pass on from our lifetimes
though we try to grasp them near
through each moment that we worry
through each silence shedded tear
let me try to latch upon you
tie you to the nearest passing star
somehow we can't find the difference
who they were and who they are
i can't wrestle with the people
who are here and pass away
they seem present in the moment
but they seldom fail to stay
hug you closely kiss your forehead
you're as old as you are new
all i offer is my comfort
it's the best that i can do
wrap you softly in your blanket
tuck you gently in your bed
know tomorrow you've forgotten
all the recent things i said
and if i must still repeat them
i will say them once again
trace again the lonesome footsteps
that remind us where we've been
and my phone rings in the night time
and my words i try to form
like the coming of the thunder
like the silence of the storm
and i saw her distant gazes
for the words she grasped for more
and i hugged her from a distance
like i never had before