Erin is a pleasant girl
derived from sun and shallow water
when she goes to Austin, Texas
she will be consumed by the molten heat
of fumes and putrid air

Petra is a kindly mother
composed of cream and sugar
when she left home for New Orleans
we watched her mirage fade into
the gloom of swamp and fire

Lacy is a farmer's daughter
salt and substance concentrate
she has driven from Iowa to New York City
the subway will drive her into madness
and only tear tracks will remain

Charlotte is but a child
still in pink peppermint bows
she will move to Chicago, Illinois
and vanish from her window
blown away by the winds

it is because of these things
that I keep my woman inside
lock the doors and do not let her wish
she had anywhere better to be

I could never bear to lose her.