Here When Gone

I am a woman haunted by hands even though I’m alone
Traces of palm across my skin
An invisible map of where you’ve been
It’s dry road to Idaho, a thirsty tongue across the land
And soil so dry it could swallow an entire man
Took the first road out of town hoping you were just skin deep
But I feel you like some sort of phantom limb
Beside me when I sleep
'Cause you are here when gone
You are here when gone
You are here when gone
You are here when gone
I watch another grey day unfold it’s dusty wings
Sometimes I wish I were more like rocks and stones and things
Sometimes I wish my heart were not like flowers at all
That way I would not get butterflies when you call
Your absence undermines the landscape
Incomplete without your body like a pillar holding up the sky
My body thirsty for your touch
There’s no use wondering why
'Cause you are here when gone
You’re here when gone
You are here when gone
Here when gone
And some birds abandon the nest
'Cause the instinct is too strong to fly
Sometimes I feel like abandoning
My guitar and my books and I’m afraid that I know why
I’m afraid that I know why
'Cause you are here when gone
You’re here when gone
You are here when gone
You’re here when gone
You are here
You are here
You are here
You are here when gone
Oh, your kiss lingers on my lips
It lingers