When I was twenty years old, R.E.M. released their first album. I had some sort of virus that jacked my temperature up to 104 and all I could do was lie on my futon on the floor and listen to Murmur on a cassette player that would repeat the sequence of songs in a perfect circle of acquaintances and friends. Occasionally my fever would break and I would wake to find myself dripping with sweat. I'd fade in and out and dream about changing my drenched t-shirt. Murmur would begin again. And suddenly I had chills, bone-aching cold that would not subside no matter how many blankets I wrapped around myself. I would doze and wake to Murmur gently rolling on.It's so much more attractive inside the moral kiosk. Rest assured this will not last, take a turn for the worse. Did we miss anything? The lyrics swirled dreamily in figure eights around my fever-addled brain. This went on for days. I was so sick that I wasn't worried about how sick I was. There was just the litany of fever and chills, the call and response of Catapult and Radio Free Europe.
Finally, the fever broke for good and I felt like raising my head. Gingerly, I sat up and turned off the stereo. Steeling myself in case the virus resumed its assault, I made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower and sat weakly on the john while the steam rose and fragile tears of relief rolled down my face.
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world.
"Not everyone can carry the weight of the world."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
"Not everyone can carry the weight of the world."
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to learn THAT lesson. Can you still listen to the album & songs?
I want to read the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteyou are such a gifted writer. Makes me want to listen to that album again (what a good one)
ReplyDeleteI have several songs that can catapult me through time and into my own past realities. One of the most exceptional ones (in triggering multiple senses) is Foreigners Juke Box Hero. It was the number one song the summer my single mom bought a season pass to the local swimming pool rather than putting me in daycare while she worked. I swam at that pool every single day for 10 weeks. Every time I hear the song I can smell chlorine, hear swimming pool sounds, and taste Munchos potato chips. I've missed seeing you on facebook...but I don't miss facebook or page administration at all! People suck and facebook is like a video of the worst social BJ in the history of humanity. Anyway...hope all is well with you. ~NLM
ReplyDeletewow
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