You Know How It Is

Lyric by Clive James, music by Pete Atkin

You know how it is:
A parting vow to stay in touch
That never does amount to much,
A "give my love" entrusted to a friend —
We're gentle to a fault and sentimental to the end.

You know how it goes:
A postcard of the Colosseum
With a cross inked-in to mark one's room
And a caption saying "This is my hotel:
The lions never sleep but I hope you're keeping well."

For we knew each other very well indeed:
Too well to really need these aides-mémoires.
I usually know vaguely how you are

And you know how it is:
You sort of find you lose the taste
For aerogrammes typed single-spaced —
After all, it's not like writing to a friend.
Ah yes, we're gentle to a fault and sentimental to the end.
Pete Atkin Discography