Laura Sandage: Listen

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Mary Superak provides the soul of this piece with her native flute performance.

CLOSER TO DEATH

His hand is warm, then he's gone
No more songs, he's moving on
Shade is cool under trees so tall
And every tree in time will fall

Oh, I've been walking closer to death
Sometimes I feel the frosty breath
And this life that I'm living fills with thanksgiving
With every step I take closer to death

Tiny nightgown of white
Shining pale in the moonlight
Hold her close, hear her heartbeat race
And memorize each curve of her face

Oh, I've been walking closer to life
Joy and pain cut like a knife
And I find myself grieving each joy as it's leaving
With every step I take closer to life

Cracks in the pavement grow wide
Small green leaves sprouting inside
Maybe the paving of paradise
Will melt away like layers of ice

Oh, I've been stepping outside of time
Into this moment sublime
Are these tears that I'm crying for living or dying?
I'll understand when I'm outside of time

Oh, I've been walking closer to death
Sometimes I feel the frosty breath
And this life that I'm living fills with thanksgiving
With every step I take closer to death