Laura Sandage: Listen
Walter and Clara
(Laura Sandage)
WALTER AND CLARA Laura Sandage and Ray Frank 2004
Walter had a tale he told himself
Of a man who could never make good
His windows darkened with years of smoke
As he stoked his stove with wood
Clara lived across the street
Her house overflowed with stuff
Dreamed of a girl nobody could trust
Who never had enough
Outside the sun was shining
But Walter, he couldn’t see
Clara’s kitchen was snug and warm
But she never went in for tea
(chorus)
Between them, only a road to cross
Somethin' they just couldn’t do
Their stories had carried them this far
They kept with what they knew
Clara had plenty to pack the house full
And a great big heap outside
From there, she talked with whoever passed by
But Walter stayed on his side
Neither one reached out to the other
They didn’t know where to begin
‘Cause Walter could never go out of his house
And Clara could never go in
chorus
Walter’s rooms were lined with stacks
Of papers and magazines
He never got dressed, he ate alone
Canned herring and saltines
Townsfolk called them eccentric
Took their story from ear to ear
People laughed and shook their heads
They rarely ventured near
chorus