ID
Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello Lyrics

I thought I'd write to Juliet's, for she would understand
I wanted to write to someone who would empathize with my situation.

And when someone is already dead they can no longer let you down
I reached out to someone who has passed away, because they can't disappoint me.

Instead I find myself talking to you, as my oldest friend
Actually, I'm confiding in you, my trusted, long-time friend.

Tell me how I can advise someone, that I don't even know, To welcome death
I don't understand how I can counsel someone I've never met to accept their own death.

For I received a letter that is worth reporting
I got a letter that I feel is important enough to share.

And though it may raise a cynical smile
Even though it might sound like a joke or unbelievable.

It leaves a sinking feeling
It makes me feel uneasy or upset.

Like when a soldier in a story says to the sergeant...
It reminds me of a scene in a tale where a soldier addresses their superior.

"Have you seen my pride and joy?..."
The soldier asks if their precious possession is safe.

You know the rest...and it's no joke...forgive me please as I quote...
You can imagine the outcome, and it's not amusing. Excuse me while I read out what she wrote.

"This is a letter of thanks, as I'm so bored here in I can't say where.
The letter is an expression of gratitude because I'm very bored and can't disclose where I am.

So I'm writing to people that I may never meet
Thus, I'm composing letters to strangers, someone like you.

And I was thinking if something you said..."
I believe that perhaps, if I read something you wrote, it would give me hope.

"I'm a female soldier, my name is Constance.
I'm Constance, a woman serving in the military.

I enlisted in the military needing funds for college
I signed up for the army to get money to pay for college.

I'm twenty-three years old and if I do get home alive
I'm only twenty-three, and if I ever make it home safe.

I imagine I may think again..."
I might reconsider things after all that happened.

"I'm sleeping with my eyes open for fear of attack
I sleep with my eyes open because I'm scared of an offensive action.

Your words are a comfort, they're the best thing that I have
Your writings give me solace and are the most valuable thing I own.

Apart from family pictures and, of course, my gas mask
Except for my gas mask and some pictures of my loved ones.

I don't know why I am writing to you
I don't even know why I decided to write to you, to be honest.