Atmosphere

a descending series of chords
a chorus shouting “hoo”
a man speaking in rhythm
rhyming a bit
a touch of sing song

a target
hit repeatedly

it’s working
early in the morning
for me as a listener

this atmosphere where

all your secrets stay safe
all your liars will lay
all your stories are stains
on that mattress

I’m crying
in bed

how much do I like that guitar
I ask myself
I like it fine

how much do I want it to be
guitar and rhyme and not meaning
that’s getting to me

I like distance

I like a target
hit repeatedly
from a distance

this is working
I declare it
a good song
a target struck again and again

I swear I’m not listening to the words

— italicized lyrics from “Mattress,” by Atmosphere; from the album “Sad Clown, Bad Summer”
(listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRcLFA0wW80)