Too Obstinate
From the album El Cuerpo
Photograph: C. N. Mileham · Darjeeling, India · 2009
About the Song
Too Obstinate explores the boundary between determination and pride. Its defiant voice can sound like a celebration of perseverance or a warning about how easily conviction becomes stubbornness. The humor leaves that tension open to interpretation.
Lyrics
Huesos Thirteen and the plane lifts, India-bound Left a house too heavy, a mother's weight, a sound She held too close, unhappy, and I was the only door Salty tears down cheeks — I don't live there anymore Slats at half mast, pre-dawn dim The voices start their hymn Ignore them, deny them, befriend them if you can Aquí estoy — still a standing man Grab the wee dangly bits of fate and squeeze Face lifted to the sun — I bend, I do not kneel Body, médula, huesos — take what you need I'm just too obstinate, too obstinate to leave Twenty-four years married, then the marrow cracked The register will shut up and march — no going back Two wives, three continents, the ceiling fan still spins Poor wives — the hot air blowing where the fog begins The water runs deep, la confusión runs deeper Mild/moderate, said the reaper I wasn't, I shan't, I can't — then still, aquí estoy Death's bony claws — and yet, this stubborn joy Grab the wee dangly bits of fate and squeeze Face lifted to the sun — I bend, I do not kneel Body, médula, huesos — take what you need I'm just too obstinate, too obstinate to leave Más luz, por favor — more light The vessel cracked, did it let it in or out? No sé, no sé Adelantado — flag planted, machete, pen The advance scout who owns nothing, claims it anyway Crack on. Crack on Grab the wee dangly bits of fate and squeeze Face lifted to the sun — I bend, I do not kneel Body, médula, huesos — take what you need Too obstinate, too obstinate— Eighty-five now, and mi madre and I are good Returned the borrowed shroud — no, not yet, I misunderstood The journey, the destination, the stumble on The Way