Dream Song
Lena Rich, 2020
​
Sirens started wailing we were running from it
Even in the cold there was steam coming from us
Say you're mine, say you're mine
We can make it through this
And even when we're gone
The ashes on the ground will prove it
​
Thunder overhead, we were dodging from it
Acid rain leaving stains on my skin, I saw it
Say my name, say my name
I wanna hear it
And even when we're gone
I know I'll still feel it
​
​
Something In Between
Lena Rich, 2017
I missed my flight to baltimore
You know I was kinda hopin’ that I would
Stayed up all night fighting but I said the things I want to
And now I’m good
Woke up in your arms
Probably shouldn’t have slept over
But I did because I could
And Jennie says we’re too far gone
And she’s probably right
But I wouldn’t mind trying to get along
And I know I look good tonight
At this point I don’t really care what’s right
I know there’s nothing left
And I just wanna spend the night
So I will
But maybe there’s something in between
What you thought was black and white
I hope there was
Or maybe I’m holding on
To something that is gone
Wishing you’d come back around
Should try to get to baltimore
But I love it when we have mornings together
I hear you grinding coffee
And the caps still off the whiskey
From the night before
You say forget about the dishes
But I know you like clean kitchens
So I do them while you sweep the floor
And you say you’re happy for the first time in a long time
And all I wish is that you were
The hardest part is looking back
I wish I hadn’t gotten so drunk that night
And I shouldn’t have let you know
So much about my life, but I did
But maybe there’s something in between
What you thought was black and white
I hope there was
Or maybe I’m holding on
To something that is gone
Wishing you’d come back around
I made it here to Baltimore
And I listened to that album
On repeat through the clouds
The one we sat and listened to
The whole way through
Soaking in every single sound
That early kind of love
And I don’t look too good tonight
Too many questions, so little time
And I’m trying to fight what I once thought was right
And it’s hard
But maybe there’s something in between
What you thought was black and white
I hope there was
Or maybe I’m holding on
To something that is gone
Wishing you’d come back around
​
Fleeting
Lena Rich, 2017
​
You called me from new york
And said to think about the way
She slopes down from the sky into the valley
And don’t be afraid
Just wait it out till morning
We have nothing but open road
And fading light
I don’t feel at home in this endless sandy land
And my mind’s stuck in december
The first time I saw the milky way
We were lost out on a floodplain
Following tracks I’d left the week before
And everything feels fleeting now
Everything feels still
But you knew that you would find me
You were told about your future
Long ago
Black coffee stains on blue jeans
Negatives are on the wall
And my fingers bleed from steel strings
But I don’t mind the feeling anymore
And everything feels fleeting now
Everything feels still
But you knew that you would find me
You were told about your future
Long ago
​
Spelling Out Your Name
Lena Rich, 2017
Well I was thinking that I’d write to you
And at the bottom sign my name
And in the paragraphs I’d try to tell you how I feel
Or what I think about the day
And I’m singing songs about the subway
And I’m spelling out your name
In cursive and in block
And in my own handwriting
And I’m hoping you’ll come right through the page
Well I’d wish you send me something that smells like you
Or a photograph you made
Because I’m only seeing grey sky
All I want are big skies
And morning light in your eyes
And I’m passing graveyards on the highway
Stuck inside a grey snowglobe
And strip malls and dirty cars
And at night I can’t see the stars
And I’m just spelling out your name
At night I don’t feel so lonely
It’s not how it used to be
Kissing between smiles makes me think about the miles
Just miles, and your name feels like home to me
And I’m passing graveyards on the highway
Stuck inside a grey snowglobe
And strip malls and dirty cars
And at night I can’t see the stars
And I’m just spelling out your name
Red House
Lena Rich, 2017
You asked me if I was afraid to fall
A chapter in your mind
Was underlined in red
And I memorized it all
We felt hopeful in the night
You smelled like cigarettes
And we watched the streaks
Across the sky panning out
Like northern lights
Are we alone?
We laughed, we did not cry
I held my mother’s tapestries
Folded them myself
That night God was in my voice
And we spoke foreign tongues
Across the room
And I was breathing from within
And I surrendered to the red house
And all the books on shelves
To know your secrets takes a sign
I don’t know them all
No, I don’t know them all
​
Guidance
Lena Rich, 2017
I asked for guidance on the phone
He said to tell a hero’s story
From every angle that you can
He said he went to church
A spitting image of his mother
Learned everything that he could
From the land
I asked am I too young to know?
Have I seen it all before in another life?
I’m just trying to get one foot through the door
And something familiar and strangely powerful
Left me wanting more
‘Cause I have never been this high before
And I have never flown this long before
And I have never seen so far before
And I have never heard this voice before
I asked for guidance on the phone
He said it’s hot where he comes from
And his mother was the one that he knew most
And don't let anything cut down your overgrowth
And something familiar and strangely powerful
Left me wanting more
‘Cause I have never been this high before
And I have never flown this long before
And I have never seen so far before
And I have never heard this voice before
I asked for guidance on the phone
I didn't think that he would answer
And I pictured he’d look like God
Or be everything I was afraid to ask for
I asked for guidance on the phone
I asked for guidance on the phone
​
​
​
Something To Keep
Lena Rich, 2017
I really don’t know much about driving slow
I really don’t know much about sundays
And I sure don’t know if I am saying this the right way
But I bet that I’ll stay
But I bet that I’ll stay
I really don’t know my way around a kitchen
I really don’t know every exit on the way
And I sure don’t know if I am saying this the right way
But I bet that I’ll stay
But I bet that I’ll stay
I already know my way around this small town
And I could drive it in my sleep
But I sure don’t know if you are looking for a compromise
Or if this is something that you wanna keep
Something that you wanna keep
I really don’t know much about standing still
I really don’t know much about this feeling
But I sure do know I haven’t ever asked for more
And I’d be happy to see where this is going
​
​
Ohio
Lena Rich, 2017
I headed from Ohio
Got the coastline on my mind
I tore up all my calendars
Because I’ve never been more sick of time
Dreams pan out before me
And I’m just trying to put them on the line
And something screams inside me
That I might be running out of time
Ooo, not coming back around
Ooo, I know what I have found
I tried to fake some answers
It didn’t end too well
‘Cause pages in a notebook
Knew me better
Than I knew myself
The constant ticking of a clock can just be turned off
I headed from Ohio
Just to end up right where I left off
Ooo, not coming back around
Ooo, I know what I have found
​
You said I’d thank you someday
And it would all pay off
That I’d say your name and smile
As I thanked you over the crowd
You ask me if I’m scared
I say well, I’m scared as hell
I headed from ohio
I Knew everything I wanted
I was just afraid to tell
Ooo, not coming back around
Ooo, I know what I have found
How to Say Goodbye
Lena Rich 2016
I’m three years old, it’s September
I’m reaching up to touch the sky
The ocean flat behind me
I’m being held up
So that I can fly
Playing dress-up in the kitchen
Making mudpies, wearing backpacks
Catching fireflies
And in the dead of winter
I’m bundled up in layers
Hiding in the white
And I start to wonder what I’m thinking
Start to wonder where I’m going
Headlights burning bright
Driving home, 75
And I wonder
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
I’ve seen old trucks and windy roads
Mountains and reflection in the light
I’ve cried from laughing, I’ve wrote about time passing
Seen the tides go up and down in height
And I start to wonder what I’m thinking
Start to wonder where I’m going
Headlights burning bright
Driving home, 75
And I wonder
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
I don’t want to look back
I don’t want to have to think twice
I don’t want to compromise what I know is right
So I won’t take it back
I won’t apologize for not sitting here
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Instead I’m learning
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
How to say goodbye
I’m three years old, it’s september
I’m reaching up to touch the sky
The ocean flat behind me
I’m being held up
So that I can fly
Providence
Lena Rich 2013
Well I called you from the ocean
Where winter seems longer than your driveway
And I called you from Providence
Driving north on the scenic highway
Mountain roads seem windier than last year
All I can think about is home
Under this starry dome
Listening to mysteries
And your simple tone
I would wait all season
I would paint my love away
I would trade my confessions
I'd give it all for you to stay
If I've ever caught you day dream
On a misty summer morning
I should know that's where I'm staying
Until dark and into the evening
Mountain roads seem windier than last year
All I can think about is home
Under this starry dome
Listening to mysteries
And your simple tone
I would wait all season
I would paint my love away
I would trade my confessions
I'd give it all for you to stay
Well I called you from the ocean
Where winter seems longer than your driveway
And I called you from Providence
Driving north on the scenic highway