I wish I could have met you years ago,
Before time and love and living took their toll,
Before you ever learned to run away,
Before I learned that no one ever stays.
I wish I could have been the girl next door-
I know I'm not exactly what you were looking for,
And you're nothing like what I need you to be:
I need you to stay with me.

It's been a long time since I fell in love;
No one seems to care enough
To stay with me for morning-after awkwardness.
It's been a long time since I felt this way,
And I'd really like for you to stay,
But you're alread halfway dressed...
I should've guessed.

I wish I knew some way to just let go
Of all the lessons that I know.
I wish I could wash your memories away
Right up until yesterday.
I guess that we don't really have a chance-
We're both too afraid of romance.
We're both afraid of losing some precious thing-
A heart or a soul or a diamond ring.

It's been a long time since I fell in love;
No one seems to care enough
To stay with me for morning-after awkwardness.
It's been a long time since I felt this way,
And I'd really like for you to stay,
But you're already halfway dressed...
I should've guessed.

copyright 1987 meredith tanner
all rights reserved