Header photograph by Ryan Maybee
Now It's Quiet - 2024
Drag the RiverDrag the river,
'til you find my bones, Take them with you, Carry them home, Tell my story, The one that you know, My name is buried, The source is alone, When the gravity of it all, Reaches under my skin, Holding on to pieces for comfort, All of the unfinished dreams, All of those missing thoughts, In the remnants, I need to sleep, Drag the river, 'til you find my bones, Take them with you, Carry them home, Tell my story, The one that you know, My name is buried, The source is alone, All that's left is absence, And these fading memories, Still here 'til the last time, You speak my name, My eyes have become so tired, All I want is to sleep, I let this river, Flow over me, Drag the river, 'til you find my bones, Take them with you, Carry them home, Tell my story, The one that you know, My name is buried, The source is alone. - Rory Taillon 2024 Bring You PeacePreach, oh you preach to me,
Lines from an archaic book, But gaze around, You'll see, You've been left here with me, They've left and it's just me, Seek, what do you seek from me? If I sing hallelujah does it bring you peace? Does it paint a pretty picture, Of me down on my knees, Begging for forgiveness, For the things that make me free, For the things that make me, me. Speak, why can't you speak with me? All about, This need to feel complete, To have simple answers, To life's mysteries. Breathe, sometimes I forget to breathe. - Rory Taillon 2024 Wish You Would StayI'd like to know when we will meet,
So I can find a place for all my words, I also savour the surprise, To not know when you're nearing, Eyes slowly widen, Truth sets in, What makes you wait to be begged for, What makes you rush in before you're welcome? I wish you would stay, A little longer, I'm not quite ready to leave, I wish you could stay, A little longer, There's so much more that we could see, If you would just stay, Do you cherish your entire collection, Hold each of them close in a special place, Does it bother you to be so feared, Hated and avoided, It must've been so lonely all those years, You've held some of those most dear to me, Do you still hold them close like I so wish I could? Like I wish you would stay, A little longer, I'm not quite ready to leave, I wish you would stay, A little longer, There's so much more that we could see, If you would just stay, A little longer, I'm not quite ready to leave, I wish we could stay, A little longer, There's so much more that we could see, If you would just stay. - Rory Taillon 2024 ReunionsWe have no need for reunions,
If our childhood friends keep on dying, We can catch up at the next one, Just as long, As the next one isn't mine, Oh isn't mine, Who decided that we should see, The preciousness of existence, Only when it's too late and all you're left with, Is pure anguish, Wrapped in memories, Trapped in memories, Memories, We're painting portraits of someone who, Left us long ago, Unintentional annulment of, A lifetime or so, It's too painful to notice the mirror, Reflect the passing of the years, Of the years, Loss has spoiled my appetite, For triviality, And the comfort it brings, Let's go back into the forest and just melt into trees, Change colour with the seasons, And dissolve into seeds, Stay there and only leave, When we get carried by the stream, By the stream. - Rory Taillon 2024 DespairOh Despair,
You're so easy, You know what I need, And you're always there, Oh Despair, You come so quickly, You give freely, And you never care, Fingers curled, Hands floating through this space, The rhythm swells, Emotion overtakes, My tongue, As my foot sweeps across the floor, Towards, Despair, You're so easy, You know what I need, And you're always there, Oh Despair, You come so quickly, You give freely, And you never care, The room goes quiet, Oh, just muffled sounds, It's not, it's not my fault, It's not, but I must, I must apologize, As my foot taps out, An unattainable tempo for, Despair, You're so easy, You know what I need, And you're always there, Oh Despair, You come so quickly, You give freely, And you never care. - Rory Taillon 2024 |
HatchetI'm just the sum of my mistakes,
Total of all my sins, Revel in the good times, But made sure and learned from the bad, Some of the worst demons I've known, Consider themselves saints, Constantly testing the theory, That this too shall pass, How can that hatchet be buried, If you keep digging it up, For one more swing? For one more swing, I'm wearing down my teeth, Scared of what might take place, Or what might be said, Or what I might be compelled to say, In my mind it's unravelled, Because someone couldn't hold their tongue, If forgiveness is divine, Then leave it for the gods, How can that hatchet stay buried, If you keep digging it up, For one more swing? For one more swing. Just because you choose to see no evil, Doesn't mean it's gone, I let this fire cleanse me, I'll watch the bridge burn, I let this go on too long, I've run out of all my rope, How can that hatchet stay buried, If you keep digging it up, For one more swing? For one more swing. - Rory Taillon 2024 All I HearMy heart is pounding in my ears,
I need a distraction, Please, Fingers tapping as I scroll, Through all these fears, It's too quiet, What could happen is all I hear, It's too quiet, What could happen is all I hear, If we keep on pretending it never happened, And tell ourselves it didn't hurt, It will just go away until, You catch a glimpse of a scar, When you pass the mirror, Or when it's quiet, And what happened is all you hear, Or when it's quiet, And what happened is all you hear, These thoughts sometimes slip from my mind, And hang from my tongue, Never thought twice about the indifference, To dying, But now it's quiet, What could have happened is all I hear, Now it's quiet, What could have happened is all I hear. - Rory Taillon 2024 Enough (Nov. 29th)I love this little life we have,
So why am I struck by guilt, For it not being what we were told it was supposed to be, Like what we have, Isn't enough, And risk it all for something I'm supposed to want, And feel shame in this abundance, Just pretty enough to lose the pageant but, This is all I've ever dreamed of, All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, Already have someone to love, Who loves me, How can that not be enough? She deserves all of my affection, Not just a little piece, Not done with my ambition, Why pass it on? And risk it all for something I'm supposed to want, Feel shame in this abundance, Just pretty enough to lose the pageant but, This is all I've ever dreamed of, All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, The agony of the father, Passed right down through the son, Guard them from familial vices, Familiar faults, And risk it all for something I'm supposed to want, And feel shame in this abundance, Just pretty enough to lose the pageant but, This is all I've ever dreamed of, All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, All I ever dreamed of. - Rory Taillon 2024 The FareI need off this track,
I want to stop, I don't know when I started doing things, Just to check a box, I know that I paid the fare, And I signed up for my spot, But I need off this train, I want to stop, Yes I want to stop, Labelled obsolete past thirty-five, But then kept alive far too long, 'Cause we're all so scared to die, Distracted throughout the prime of life, We'll travel later, Or maybe try a cruise, I need off this track, I want to stop, I don't know when I started doing things, Just to check a box, I know that I paid the fare, And I signed up for my spot, But I need off this train, I want to stop, Yes I want to stop, Is existing simply enough, Sometimes it feels like I am wasting life, Just 'cause I woke up, Other times it feels like, An accomplishment, Because if I fuck this day up, They're will be another one tomorrow, I need off this track, I want to stop, I don't know when I started doing things, Just to check a box, I know that I paid the fare, And I signed up for my spot, But I need off this train, I want to stop, Yes I want to stop, I need off this track, I want to stop, I don't know when I started doing things, Just to check a box, I know that I paid the fare, And I signed up for my spot, But I need off this train, I want to stop, I want to stop. - Rory Taillon 2024 With FeelingOne more for the road,
One more just because, One more with feeling, One more then we're done, One more for the better days, We hope are soon to come, One more for that time we know, Only one of us will come back from, I find myself wondering which will be worse, Is it the thought of losing you, Or the pain that I will leave you with, When it's my time to go? One more for the fallen, One more for their love, One more for tomorrows, One more so they'll come, I don't often say your name, For fear it might run out, So I preserve it in a whisper, That scarcely leaves my mouth, One more for the road, One more just because, One more with feeling, One more then we're done. - Rory Taillon 2024 |
Drifting - 2020
WonderDo we even matter,
Just a speck on the tapestry of time, Insignificant, While everything to a few, I wonder if, It's like going to sleep, I wonder if, It's a gentle releases, I wonder if, It's a sudden fatigue, After a well spent life, Slow down and drift away, Stuck inside of this comfort, Of things we can not grasp, Afraid to speak with each other, Of the advent we all share, Release a bit of your comfort, We don't have to give it a name, Who knows just what is coming, Or where she went. - Rory Taillon 2020 ScapegoatI'm not your scapegoat,
I'm no guardian to your ideals, I'm not some talking point, I bleed, I breathe, Just shake my hand and see, It's ok not to know, It's not devastating to be wrong, But interest only grows, When the bias is challenged, And the subject shares your skin tone, I don't care for your display, Vain campaigns to help appearance grow, Now our faces they'll show, To increase profits, Make you love them and forget, What you should know, Is this where we've landed, Another line to deflect this away? Is this what you wanted, Anything to take the blame off you and you alone? - Rory Taillon 2020 FloatIt's so hard to just dip a toe in,
Sometimes I just want to swim, Let wave after wave crash over me, Hold my breath and jump in, And I want to float, Take the weight off my heels, Fall to the waves, Know what it feels like to, Let go and just give in, I built this vessel to hide inside, Sit alone and pass the time, Stern face and cutting words, Keep myself hidden behind the eyes, It's so hard to let you see, What goes on inside, I appear so anchored, So secure, The current calls me with such warm voices, I'll breathe out and drift away. - Rory Taillon 2020 BreathingI need to make sure I keep on breathing,
So I wont ever make you alone, I don't know what I did to deserve you, But I'm glad I did it, Because I don't know, Where I'd be, And I don't know, What I'd be doing, And I don't know, If I'd be here anymore, Anymore, At the end of the same aisle I witnessed, The best day of my life and the worst, One had my love in her best dress, The other had my light in her last, And I don't know, What that means, I have known dire symmetry, And I don't know, If I can overlook this anymore, Anymore, You know I don't mean to isolate you, That disdain was meant for myself, All I want is for you to stay, But that's not what's come out of my mouth. - Rory Taillon 2020 WelcomeYou're not welcome here,
You're not welcome anymore, I gave you all I could give, But still you wanted more, You wanted more, You're not welcome here, You're not welcome through the door, I no longer feel your significance, I'm no longer yours, You're not welcome here, You're not welcome anymore, I wish I'd never had a taste, I wish you'd left me alone on the floor, You're not welcome here, You're not welcome anymore. - Rory Taillon 2020 |
AlonePlease,
Leave me alone, Come back, I didn't mean it, I'll admit I don't know what I want, Oh come back, Don't you get it? Never quite so alone, As in a room, Full of smiling faces, I'm laying stoned on the floor, As the songs flow through my speakers, Reorganizing my mind, Restart, Flip it over, I've taken off the edge, So many times, That it should be dull by now, Please, Don't leave me alone, Grab a glass, Let's talk through it, Complicitly captive in our lovely codependence. - Rory Taillon 2020 Does It Matter?What if was gone,
Would it matter? If I never sang another song, Would it matter? If I stopped breathing tomorrow, Should you care? If I felt like I belonged, Would it be better? If I'd never come along, Could your life be better? If I stayed under this shadow, Would it be less to bear? What if nothing was wrong, Would it be brighter? If I could write a cheerful song, Would this be brighter? If I didn't feel this way, Would that be fair? If I wasn't so withdrawn, Would it be kinder? If I'd only played, Would that be kinder? If I locked this all away, Would I be able to spare you this? - Rory Taillon 2020 Wilful & BlindThe same darkness calls to us,
All in time, Constant distractions, Comfort us, Wilful and blind, Slowly decaying, With every stride, Clock starts ticking, Taunting us, As soon as we open our eyes, The same questions taunting us, Tormenting minds, All our mothers passed to us, On the starting line, Contorting, Betraying, Wool covered sight, All empathy drained from us, Ego begins to thrive. - Rory Taillon 2020 TetherPull me down,
From out of this cloud, It's become too dark to see, I've become, Too heavy to float up here, I must come down, And pull me down, Please pull me down, From out of this cloud, I've been here, So many times I missed the taste, But don't worry love, I'll always come back, I'll always come down, For you, Just don't forget to... I'm worried, I'm worried, I'm worried about floating, I'm worried, I'm worried, Don't lose your hold on me. - Rory Taillon 2020 |
Only Whispers - 2017
SmileWelcome come below,
To the place that I roam, Where the light has never shone, I like it, It's my home, And written on the walls are cheer up, get over it and smile, Help me find my mask, Strike the match to see, False courage in a flask, And an illusion to be free, I don't want to be here anymore, But I can't bring myself to leave, - Rory Taillon 2017 StringsCome, come, come to the show and see,
Gaze into the darkness hidden beneath, The curtain is what most choose to see, But the wonders and horrors are what you seek, The puppet can only go as far as his strings, He's afraid to cut them, Afraid to die, No my dear these are not wings, A bird in a cage thinks it's crazy to fly, Wear my face like a mask, So you can see through my eyes, - Rory Taillon 2017 A ReasonI don't know what I'm doing,
Or why I need this in my hand, But it hasn't stopped me looking for a reason, To go, A reason to stay, A reason for breathing, I don't know where I'm going, But that's okay, I like finding my own way, How could I not have seen your monster, He's framed so well over the bathroom sink, Staring, Always staring, Trying to stay sane, In this fucked up world, Is driving me crazy, But I've got to hold on, For you, - Rory Taillon 2017 ElegantHow can death be hardest on the living,
It's not like we've seen the other side, All we know is where we're heading, And sometimes that makes me want to die, There is something quite elegant, About the finality of death, And how there's no real knowledge, About what happens once you've drawn your last breath, What if when we die, All we do is close our eyes, You don't get to hear the music, Or watch your family lead you down the aisle, How else can we ever know this, Until we're six feet in the ground, And the dirt is thrown upon us, Then our eyes can finally close, How can death be hardest on the living, It's not like we've seen the other side, All we know is where we're heading, And sometimes that makes me want to die, - Rory Taillon 2017 GoneWhere have you gone,
Without you I can't find my way, I'm surrounded by this darkness, Even though you told me to be brave, I'm sorry I wasn't there, To hold your hand and tell you it would be okay, It tears me apart inside, To stand and talk to the spot where you now lay, Where have you gone, I can barely remember your face, I don't know what I'd give, To hear your voice, Or feel the warmth of your embrace, I'm not the angel I wished I was, This darkness only brings pain, If there's a heaven, I hope they let me in, - Rory Taillon 2017 |
WhispersInnocent smiles was all there used to be,
No tooth long enough to notice all the green, We kept our dreams outside, There was no one there yet to pack them up, Programming started awful early, Selections provided for what you could be, Imagination should've been an asset, Not a liability, But when we stole out into the world, There was no room for peace, Just empty shells of people everywhere, With only whispers of who they used to be, Our hearts grew cold as the days renewed, You blamed your brothers because they told you too, Only fear and narcissism do they seek, For total complacency, Fed on crosses and books of stories, To build up shame and insecurity, And to fortify our aversion, Of whom we're supposed to be, - Rory Taillon 2017 Distract MeI, I am okay
I hear that's what's best for my health, I don't know how to start this, I wish I could tell you, But I know how it sounds, I, I am alright, At least that's what I keep telling myself, Distract me, Please distract me, From my reality, Here's to the ones still with us, Just when it seems so much easier to go, Fuck all of their hatred, Fuck all their judgement, Fuck all their stares, I, I am alright, At least that's what I keep telling myself, I, I am okay, I hear that's what's best for my health, - Rory Taillon 2017 With GraceCan I ask of you one favour,
Take me, Leave her here, But don't let her miss me, Don't let her shed a single tear, She has so much left to give, There's so much she doesn't know, I'm ready, Just don't let her see me go, The angel of death is near us, I hope he hears my plea, I know I shouldn't ask this, I know it's not my place, But if you could change it, I would leave now instead, With grace, Can I ask of you one favour, - Rory Taillon 2017 Warmest RegardsHello there again,
I can't say that you've been missed, That cold touch from your hand, Sliding across my wrist, But pull up a chair, And grab yourself a glass, Just make me a promise, This time, Make it last, It's been so long, I was beginning to wonder if I'd been missed, I almost settled my tab, I almost got up to take a piss, But now that you're here, I'll have that other glass, Two of your strongest whiskeys my dear, And bring them fast, Bring them fast, When did we switch to wine? I'm not complaining, I'm just not sure, You've clouded my mind, And what did you do with the door? You pulled up a chair, You had yourself that glass, You kept your promise, Made it last, -Rory Taillon 2017 |
it's not black & white - 2013
Lone bird
Dear God please tell me,
That this is all one bad dream, I see a lone bird fly overhead, And wonder when we'll all end up dead, How can we not see, We can't eat money or drink gasoline? When will they open their eyes, And see the death raining down from the skies? Will we be free? We're fucked by those who swore to protect us, How could we not see who pulled their strings? The crack of the whip and the rattling chains, It's enough to drive this man insane, They pour death into our ocean and we look the other way, Their guilt to us, Is based on how much they'll pay. -Rory Taillon 2013 Drinking Until Sober
Here I am,
I'm lost again in my own mind, Listening to Jimi with a bottle of whiskey and a glass of wine, Dylan's words are echoing through my head, What could have filled the joker with such dread? (Well) I'm drinking until I'm sober, Or at least until I forget what brought me here, I'm dying to survive, So wont you bring me another beer, There's a man in my head, And he's tore me apart, He's taken all the blackness out of my heart, The real king of rock and roll was never white, He told Johnny to be good so he could not fight, A man filled with sadness has turned to hate, He's lost wandering around in this sorry state, Visions of his lost love ones float on by, He spent his whole life trying to find when it was his turn to die. -Rory Taillon 2013 Through the glass
Have you ever wanted to run so fast you could fly?
Leave this world behind you and take to the sky? Oh then someone came and they clipped your wings, Nailed them to the ground and told you not so sing, Have you ever wanted to swim across the sea? Hold your breath, Jump in and be free? Oh then someone came and they put you in a cage, Told you to smarten up and act your age, When I look in the mirror, I don't like what I see, That old man in the suit, Used to be, Oh then someone came, And took away all his dreams, Left him naked on the floor with no one to hear his screams, Now he stares back at me through the glass, I'm just a sad glimpse for him into the past, And with tears flowing down his face, He asks me to save him, Take him away from this place. -Rory Taillon 2013 Man of Stone
He walks through streets alone,
Watching the cars go by, With no where to call his home, He's just looking for a place to die, Chased away from his land, They all spit in his face, As he held out his hand, They told him he was a disgrace, Oh he's a man of stone, But I can see through his disguise, He's the man of stone, But I can see tears in his eyes, I can see the tears in his eyes, Sits alone in the dark, Trying to drink away the pain, Never wanted to play his part, He can't remember his own, And with tears in his eyes, He cries out in pain, "Oh, I've lost it all, what's left for you to gain?" -Rory Taillon 2013 |
misfits
On the day that you're born they give you a number,
Might as well imprint it on your face, Then they plan your whole life out for you, And expect you to join in their rat race, Then they teach you everything that they want you to know, Expect to question what you're told, Then they kick you out with only one direction, Expect you to follow it until you're old, What about the outcasts? The one's who don't do as their told, What about the misfits? The ones who don't fit into your mold, Where do they stand? You're taught to judge a man by only his possessions, The size of his house or the make of his car, Make sure you look like everyone else, Put on some make-up and cover up those scars. -Rory Taillon 2013 Durden
I'm afraid of this man that you all see,
He's locked me away and he's taken the key, I can't help but think he's taken my face, And left me to die alone in this place, He took my life, He took my grace, He stole the memory of our last embrace, (Oh)I'm splitting in two, You should run and hide, I've been told that I'm the evil one inside, All these chemicals messing with my head, I've begun to speak with the dead, The narrator never had his story straight, Mister Hyde was what made the doctor great, Drug away my desire to be free, Drug away my desire to be me, (Oh)I'm splitting in two, You should run and hide, I've been told that I'm the evil one inside, With his noose around my neck, His gun pointed at my head, The crowd gives a cheer, They all want me dead, The gallows they scream as he tightens the rope, I look out and see your eyes are filled with hope, I stare in my face and begin to smile, I say, "I'll be back here in a while", I split in two and you did run and hide, I became the evil one inside, I'm the evil one inside. -Rory Taillon 2013 Jukebox
Oh don't try to paint a smile on my face,
You might get my fist back in yours, I wont be a puppet, don't make that mistake, I'm not putting up with your shit anymore, I sing the songs that I want to sing, I'm not some puppet on a string, I wont be your jukebox no more, Oh mister bartender, Please come down here and pour me something strong, I'm sitting here trying to think about what to play, And this asshole's yelling out the same song, Oh a curious wall and a free bird, Are pounding on my head, Make it stop, please make it stop, Sometimes it makes me wish I was dead. -Rory Taillon 2013 |
Closure - 2012
Warden
Dear Prisoner of your own prison,
These walls were built upon your dead dreams, You don't let the sun shine upon you, You would rather be alone with your screams, You think that you're not very pretty, You cover your face and pretend not to be, This person that you were given, Instead you get in line and follow the sheep, Don't be prisoner of this prison, Together we can break down all these walls, You don't have to be another puppet, With strings tangled throughout your soul, Don't place yourself in solitary, Ignoring the pleas from your heart, I know the darkness can be scary, But it may be what sets you apart, From this wolf that haunts you, All he wants is to rip out your heart, Don't lock away the exit, Find the strength to play your part, Come with me and be free, Break these chains from around your soul, Remove the mask that you've made, This cave has become quite cold. -Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |
Ballad of Jimmy Taylor
Stick that painful needle in my arm,
And tell me that it will keep me from harm, It pulls my hair out one piece at a time, The doctor tells Mom that I'm out of time, I see a tear roll down her face, This shit will kill me no matter what my race, And I'm not afraid, I see elephants dancing with bears, My mind is free of cares, I sleep on sedatives, And wake to prying eyes, I won't give into their lies, White is the colour I love best, My ribs are sticking out of my chest, Wondering what my little sisters will say, They'll have to live without me one of these days, I'm walking to school I feel week at the knees, I fall and I yell, "Will someone help me please," Why the hell are you looking at me this way, As if I'm not supposed to look this way, I've had a good run anyway, Don't weep for me because my flesh is gone, Rejoice because I'm free, My hair flows right down to my knees, Stick that painful needle into my arm. - Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |
Dance Monkey Dance
Dance monkey dance,
And I'll buy you another beer, Dance monkey dance, Keeping me grinning from ear to ear, A young poet in his basement, Writes of hardship and war, When he's older he's told to cheer up, And not to write about those things any more, A young girl in her summer dress, Dreams of dancing and being a star, Pretty soon all her dancing, Will be done on a table in a bar, An actor on a small stage, Pours soul into the part, Forced to live like a poor man, He gives it all up for his art. -Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |
Death From A Jar
You come screaming into this world,
Struggling to take the first breath, The man in white he makes an offer, Promised to help you run from death. Sold you some pretty poison, Said that it would only help you sleep, If heaven is full of angels, Than the devil's inside of me, Nobody lives forever, Keep that between you and me, It does not relieve the pressure, That brings me down to my knees, Sell me some wings to fly with, Sell me some happy memories. -Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |
The Last Iris
I place an iris on your heart,
As they lower you to sleep, Next to your love, And as you're covered up, I thank you for the life, You've given me, I sat and held your hand, I tried to show you what, You mean to me, I hold it once again, A feeling once so warm, Is now cold as stone, I sat and held you close, You told me you were ready, And you were proud, And that you loved me, I dreamt the other night, That nothing changed, We talked as you sat in your chair, But now I'm awake, And I look at the chair, I feel something I can't bear, I place an iris on your heart, As they lower you to sleep, Next to your love. -Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |
Closure
No more need for tears,
The darkness will soon be gone, And peace will overcome, Every life has an end, And my time has come, And you must move on, If fear poisons the soul, Then hope can be the cure, Under my wings you will find love, And I will be there, To guide you from above, And I will lead you through the fog, You must be brave, Your soul can not be won, And your fears you'll overcome, No more need for tears, The darkness will soon be gone, And peace will over come. -Rory Taillon, Closure 2012 |