Only Way Out

Polaroid of you
In your best blue dress.
Silos and rolling hills,
Your eyes in brilliant focus.
We learned how our bodies worked,
Soft and familiar,
But you couldn't shake the fear of
Something so similar.
You return to him
'Cos he reminds you of your father,
And it helps you sleep at night
And brings you comfort.
I can't seem to throw away
The letters or the pictures
For some kind of truth
Or proof that all of this really happened.
If you would've tried,
I would've tried.
If commitment's what you wanted,
I would've been the anchor by your side.
If you would've stayed,
Well, I would've stayed.
But the only way to love you now
Is to walk away.
You walked bar to bar,
A wicker basket held high,
Selling roses to the drunkards,
And I bought one every time.
Stumble up the stairs,
Hand in hand, up to the roof.
Love is something that will lead you,
Not something you can choose.
So many years have passed
Since all that wine.
You're a mother now
And how I bet you made a beautiful bride.
I can't seem to throw away
The letters or the pictures
For some kind of truth
Or proof that all of this really happened.
If you would've tried,
I would've tried.
If commitment's what you wanted,
I would've been the anchor by your side.
If you would've stayed,
Well, I would've stayed.
But the only way to love you now
Is to walk away.
If you would've prayed...
O, how I did pray.
But the only way to love something
Is to give it away.