I've watched her from the river banks
I knew her when she danced with dreams
White doves were there to dress her hair

And so was Madelaine

At night the people's faces danced

Like pearls colliding on the breast
Of fat Marie whose thunder laugh
Was just a thread from crying


Her sailors stained her cobblestones
With wine and piss and death desire

And sometimes blood for Madelaine
Whose laughter was the night


Her girls would lift their dresses high
and breathe the stars and kiss the sky
She'd smother them with whispers then

Embrace them with her sighs

Before the bottle dulled my eyes

And made me so I couldn't stand
I'd overact and play the clown
When Madelaine would cry


And now I watch from riverbanks
I watch it weave it's memories

White doves turned gray and flew away
And so did Madelaine