Love in the Present Tense

by Tom Flannery
copyright 2007 (BMI)

Falling in love is the easy part. I wouldn't say that staying in love is the hard part,
just that familiarity breeds something worse than contempt. Apathy. Love is work.
Generally, I'm pretty lazy. But I'll never stop toiling for it.

Am I strong enough to say sorry
secure enough to ask why
you come like a thief emboldened
and you can still make me cry
all the charlatans and the cynics
at one time they all made sense
it's so damn hard to keep it
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense

A sense of wonder and entitlement
as if the stars belong to me
a surreal type of arrogance
that sometimes I still can't see
it's a war between two lovers
that brings the worst kind of suspense
it's so damn hard to keep it
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense

Always looking forward
and dredging up the past
always crunching all the data
to see if things might last

If I say I loved you yesterday
that might make you cry
or if I might love you you tomorrow
you might blink an eye
but today's a different story
as we give and take offense
it's so damn hard to keep it
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense

love notes and tarot cards
a glimpse inside the head
of one who seeks forgiveness
and the other the road ahead

The tinkers and the gypsies
the minstrels and circus clowns
keep eyes peeled for the lonesome
and others who might tie them down
their hearts grow a little bit harder
and the party's still commence
it's so damn hard to keep it
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense

Always looking forward
and dredging up the past
always crunching all the data
to see if things might last

The tinkers and the gypsies
the minstrels and circus clowns
keep eyes peeled for the lonesome
and others who might bring them down
their hearts grow a little bit harder
and the party's still commence
it's so damn hard to keep it
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
love in the present tense
 

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