Jim Carroll

The Beast Within

Jim Carroll


If give me your ear 
I'll whisper you wind that could soothe your burnt blood
The door is right here 
breathing the air filled with powders and porn
now comes the dawn

If I release the dove
Would it betray the sky and return to your cage
In the river above 
Can I fold back the pages and just take one look 
into your jungle book

Refrain: Some say it's a lie, some say it's a sin
Do you know how it ends if you won't let it begin?
You feel it waking now beneath your skin
You can't live without the beast within

If you lift up your veil 
Then I'll finish the features that aren't quite done
How could we fail 
With all the miraculous masks that we wear
In shadows and stares

Let's seal out the dare
Your eyes like morning, naked and wet
What price will we pay?
Now think back and tell me how we ever got here
Such tender years

Some say it's a lie, some say it's a sin . . .