Mighty Respirator

You come from places hidden

Deep within these smoke-stained walls.

A voice that leaves us choices

Our yellowed fingers reach for mothballs.

Gasping whiskey-tinged air

Our brittle hair flies infest.

And we get dressed in this mornings newspaper


Oh Mighty Respirator

Please just enough sweet breaths

And then a puff from our stale cigarettes

Off & on, now & then

We'll make love in our mildewed beds

Off & on, in & out

Even if we knew paradise

I do believe we'd forget


You hear a distant calling

From beneath the squeaking floor

A friend who offers wisdom

Our troubled hearts reach out for more


Oh Mighty Respirator

Please just enough sweet breaths

And then a puff from our stale cigarettes

Off & on, now & then

We'll make love in our mildewed beds

Off & on, in & out

Even if we knew paradise

I do believe we'd forget