The Truth About Disguise

When you came in the shape of a stray dog
I recognized you right away
And I let you in, gave you a blanket to lie on by the stove
And I told you "stay"
And all night long your eyes never left me
As I made the fire and moved around the room
It was the same sweet attention
I remember from you
And in the morning when you winked into the perfect silhouette
Of a black crow in a blue sky
I longed to follow and learn from you
The truth about disguise
Oh, the truth…

When you came in the shape of an old Dodge van
You surprised me, I'd come by twice
And I drove you around the block, listened to your engine race,
Kicked the tires and argued down the price
And I bought you for every cent I had
And drove you down the road out of town
And it felt so familiar to be driving down the road with you
I had to laugh out loud
'Cause isn't that just how we always were?
I'd drive a hard bargain, then pay full price
And you always had the answer
You always knew the truth about disguise
Oh, the truth
The truth about disguise

There was a storm the night you tapped at my window
With your long bare branches till I woke in the dark
And said "that was just a dream," but I threw the window wide
And aspen leaves came blowing in like cut-out paper hearts
Oh, the truth
The truth about disguise
Oh, the truth
The truth about disguise

©1995 Annie Gallup