Obliviate!
Him: Roaming Perth, I keep returning to that store.
Buying kids’ books; I don’t know what for.
I must be going mad.
In those musty aisles, I am somehow less alone,
(Her:) There’s a hole inside…
like standing near a friend unknown.
(Her:) A bliss denied.
Those visits leave me sad.
She must not guess that this life is less
than I had hoped. If I’d confess, I’d spoil her fun.
I don’t begrudge her surf nor sun.
So I just wink at her and beam – after all, this is our dream,
Both: And we are happy, so happy, can’t you see?
We built castles in the sky – we don’t like it quite so high but hey, we’re free.
Him: Say, are you happy?
Her: I’m so happy I could cry.
Him: I truly try…
Both: The skies are bright, no cloud in sight,
so happy we must be!
Her: I keep dreaming of a girl I’ve never known,
a toddler still, then almost grown, as if she was my fate.
Cunning eyes, hair chestnut brown and wild.
(Him:) So much like mine.
We should have had a child,
(Him:) She’d have been fine.
but now it is too late.
He must not know that I miss her so although I only saw her grow
inside my mind.
After all, life has been kind.
We’re still such a splendid team, and we’re living our dream!
Both: For we are happy, so happy! It’s a shame
that there’s no one there to share it with
so it’s not quite the same – but we don’t care!
Her: Say, are you happy?
Him: I’m so happy I could weep
Her: Deep in my sleep…
Both: This perfect day won’t pass away
so happy we must stay!
Him: How come I start at school bells and the sound of little feet?
Her: When did Christmas lose its magic?
Him: Do I really like this heat?
Her: Why did we burn those pictures of the life we left behind?
Him: Well, I’m sure we had our reasons.
Both: We need nothing to remind us
that we’re happy, so much happier than before.
Just look at what we earn here, and anyway, you learn
from your mistakes.
Yes, we are happy, so happy that it aches.
Her: Just sing your song,
Him: Just play along,
Both: The bottom line’s we’re doing fine!
Him: Darling, there’s some girl here at the door!
Her: Coming!
Finite incantatem!