FLOWER OF NIGHT song lyrics NERUDA 13
by Joel Sattler

[based on the 13th poem in 20 LOVE POEMS
by Pablo Neruda]

on the white atlas of your skin
I have been making crosses of fire
your mouth was a spider hiding within
thirsty afraid behind your desire

histories spoke at the edge of dusk
o sweet doll don't be so sad
a swan a tree a distant joy
the time of the grapes all grown and glad

flower of night flower of night

I have lived in the port from where I loved
in quiet solitude sound asleep
delirious silent between two frozen sailors
caught between the sadness and sea

smack in the middle of lips and the voice
something is dying it has no choice
something with the wings of a bird
anguish oblivion something unheard

flower of night flower of night

just as a fish net can hold no water
the scars of the teardrops remain behind
a song is climbing behind my mouth
wanting to celebrate joy that was mine

sing or burn, flee from the bell tower
that rings and rings as a madman tolls
my soft tristessa what are you doing?
when I reach the top the summit is cold

then my heart closes a flower of night
a flower of night my heart is closed

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