KEEP THE BEAST AT BAY

The citadel lights grow dim 
The crowd cascade a perverse cold damp
  an answer awakened by a churchly hymn
and the screed of the neon lamp

The ramparts are manned
If only a casual relief from the wolfish
The creature exits the sea for the sand
  only with the perfect wish to, 
Keep the beast at bay

The Opus churns a melodic tune
As melancholy reaps a maelstrom of subterfuge
 wonders coming soon
Emotions slowly churned in a centrifuge 

Decisions made to ride the wind
An eleven year battle in the steeplechase
  ten yards later do it again
Applause the power and grace
Keep the beast at bay

Reflective now and looking back
Traveled down a different river, a fragmented past
  was there an uneven track
perchance to keep a longer last

We hear you're leavin', that's okayI thought our little wild time had just begunI guessed you kind of scared yourself, you turn and runBut if you have a change of heart, © Steely Dan “Rikki don’t lose that number”
Keep the beast at bay