The World’s Gone Beautiful
Malvina Reynolds
The world's gone beautiful because it's about to die
I never saw such flower faces or so intent a sky
I never heard such lines from horns or violins
Or saw such lavish girls, such dandy boys
And I know why
It's that the world is asking not to die
I never saw such hands flexing like silver leaves
I never knew such air, or leaned to so good a breeze
Even the tears I cry, they aren't salt but clear
For sea birds riding the wind calling their last
Their wild goodbye
The world is asking not to die
I want to hold this world and never let it go
I want the sun to always rise on the kids next door
Whether I go or stay, that question still abides
Posed by rainbows in the river spray
What answer do you give
A world that asks so bitterly to live?
