So Long from Phantom Vibes by Joey O'Neil

It takes time to take these mountains and look at them anew
Squinting, straining for a varied view
Finding peaks and valleys that don’t remind me of you
Planting trees where forest fires grew

When the wayward wind blows west with echos on its breath
Campfire smoke, amber, cigarettes
Common scents surround while your musk mnemonic looms
Clear the air and reapply perfume

Oh, I’ll unlearn you one day
After our drawn-out fadeaway
So so long, so long, so long
Each time it takes so long

For things that make a home made home on walls and shelves
Offerings that spoke the way you felt
Consider a declutter while hoarding retrospect
Wiping surfaces where dust collects

In someone else’s hands my reflexes rewind
Sunk into another porous time
Inflammatory memory as their arm’s around my waist
Reclaiming this silhouette you traced

Oh, I’ll unlearn you one day
After our drawn-out fadeaway
So so long, so long, so long
Each time it takes so long

Still training my sincerity to recycle Darlings and Dears
My lovers’ name repurposed through the years
These terms that once endeared you I sighed, spoke, sang, and wrote
Signing Sincerely Yours on others’ notes

Oh, I’ll unlearn you one day
After our drawn-out fadeaway
So so long, so long, so long
Each time it takes so long

Oh, I’ll unlearn you one day
After our drawn-out fadeaway
So so long, so long, so long
Each time it takes so long

• Folk
• alt-country
• americana
• country
• singer-songwriter
• Dawson