I wrote this one with two friends one night, not my usual manner of writing, I'll admit, but it worked at the time. My friend and I were both fed up with our growing catalogue of songs about ourselves, and so the challenge was set: NO SELF-REFLECTION, NO GIRLS. I think someone came up with the idea of the song being about a little girl, then somehow it was twisted into this 'Puff the Magic Dragon'-in-reverse tale about a boy, his imaginary friend, getting older, life and what comes with it---but, reflective though it was, it wasn't about us, and it certainly wasn't about girls. Imaginary friend leaves her boy to face growing up, which he does with reluctance and anger. Enjoy.
Dear Azalea Gwen
I hid in the doorway, trying it your way---
So easy to find me.
Olly-olly-olly oxen-free!
Twenty Mississippi...
you must have just missed me.
I’ll extend my pardon
to the butterfly that caught your eye in the garden.
go hide in your thimble again.
So tired of playing pretend?
Then take your time,
‘cause life’s not threaded in twine.
Give me back mine!
deciding to seek you instead.
Where else would you be besides inside my head?
From an old, empty tree-house a forest’s just trees now,
and you, my sweet absentee, would agree:
this poignancy is misery.
No penalty for loyalty to imaginary royalty.
My apologies to
She’s off in her thimble again.
I’m tired of playing pretend
and I’ll draw the line
where our lives no longer entwine.
Just give me back mine!
- Justin Pope
(c)2005 Justin Pope Music
all rights reserved
Justin Pope - vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Joe Durniak - drums, electric guitar, bass
