...where distraction is the main attraction.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Don't Worry, We'll All Float On Alright

This morning as I stepped out of the J2's back doors in Silver Spring, a vibrantly beautiful woman was easing out of the front door. She was easily six feet tall, appeared to be both South Asian and African with lovely dark skin. She was wearing a long loose bright teal dress. And though she was very very pregnant she walked with such a quiet grace that I couldn't help but follow her for a block. Holding her soil- and honey-tinted cornrow braids in the fingers of her right hand, she moved like leaves on calm water.

I'm moving back to Los Angeles in 12 days. And though it's exactly what I want, that doesn't mean it isn't breaking my heart.

From Modest Mouse's "The World At Large" (as it came up on my iPod playlist while waiting for the bus) --

Ice-age heat wave, can't complain.
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another plan.
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand.
I move on to another day,
to a whole new town with a whole new way.
Went to the porch to have a thought.
Got to the door and again, I couldn't stop.
You don't know where and you don't know when.
But you still got your words and you got your friends.
Walk along to another day.
Work a little harder, work another way.

Well uh-uh baby I ain't got no plan.
We'll float on maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on maybe would you understand?
Well I'll float on maybe would you understand?

The days get shorter and the nights get cold.
I like the autumn but this place is getting old.
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast.
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most.
The days get longer and the nights smell green.
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave.

I like songs about drifters - books about the same.
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane.
Walked on off to another spot.
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want.
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?

The moths beat themselves to death against the lights.
Adding their breeze to the summer nights.
Outside, water like air was great.
I didn't know what I had that day.
Walk a little farther to another plan.
You said that you did, but you didn't understand.

I know that starting over is not what life's about.
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud.


Thanks for the words, Mr. Brock.

If anyone ever questions the necessity of listening to music on headphones in public, he has obviously never had a good song keep him company.