Too Close To The Flame: Clare Oliver

Enjoy, dance, delight
But not too close to the light.
Icarus fell, but he lived and flew
Who'd deny him his wish .. you?
His father's advice, your mother warned
But who listened? Who saw?
All those excuses denied you:
My mother gave me drugs
I didn't know it was so long
I'm singing everybody's song
If it feels good it isn't wrong.

Grin, burst, flash
But not too close to the lamp
Icarus fell, but he lived and flew
Who'd deny him his wish .. you?
The desire to live. The desire to fly.
The desire to be all you can buy.
All those excuses denied you:
If it gets bad I'll quit
I don't know who gave it, or why
When you feel down it helps you fly
I didn't think I would die.

Pain, resolve, despair
But not so close as to be seen
Icarus fell, but he lived and flew
Who'd deny him his wish .. you?
A pain in the head. A pain in the neck.
The pain that lodged inside your heart.
All those excuses you denied.
It was all your fault.
The others had tried.
The dream was lost
And so you died.