by the time you get to phoenix

I AM SHOUTING TO YOU ON A CLIFF FACE
ABOVE A CITY
AND IT’S THE LAST TIME

THE SKY IS TAKING YOUR BRAID APART
AND YOU ARE COMING UNDONE

I CAN’T HEAR YOU OVER 40 KNOTS
BUT YOUR GRANDIOSE GESTICULATION IS LOUD ENOUGH

LOUD ENOUGH FOR ME TO KNOW YOU ARE LEAVING
SOMEWHERE OVER TOWARD THE HORIZON

I WRESTLE THE SCARF DOWN FROM MY FACE
AND THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF VOMIT IN MY MOUTH
BECAUSE I PROBABLY LOVE YOU

AND YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL WITH THE CITY AS YOUR SKIRT
IT POOLS AROUND YOUR ANKLES

I WOULD NEVER SET AN ENTIRE CITY ON FIRE
BUT A BURNING CITY WOULD LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL

AS THE LONG FLAMING TRAIN OF YOUR SKIRT
AND I WOULD LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL AS THE LONG
TRAINING FLAME OF YOUR PITY

BUT IN THREE YEARS
YOU SAY
IT’LL BE A BLIP
A BLIP!

WE WILL SAY GOODBYE
IN A FEW MINUTES NOW
AND IT’LL ALL MEAN NOTHING

BUT
A BEAUTIFUL GIRL
UP HERE ON THE HILLTOP
MEANS A LOT TO A BURNING CITY

IF ONLY IT WAS PHOENIX, ARIZONA
IF ONLY IT WOULD RISE AGAIN

Claudia Shanks is from Tairāwhiti and currently studying at Te Herenga Waka.