“Aftermath”

One of the songs I enjoyed the most (& listened to on repeat) on my road trip yesterday was “Aftermath” by R.E.M. (from an album which I originally connect to a specific phase of grad school).

Here it is with small adaptions for some of my recent and current emotions, in an overall feeling of joy and relief and renewed freedom:

Now the radio stutters snaps to life
Some sour song that sets it right
And when London falls
He’d like to call
But the stars collide

They’re beautiful and much maligned
In a universe where you see the worst
And it’s up to you to fix it

Now I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I want to shout
How I see it all

It’s easy to dismiss the “what’s it all about” crowd
There is no doubt, it’s this, here, now
And I close my eyes
I’m not going back
So I work it out, overfeed the cat

And the plants are dry and they need to drink
So I do my best, and I flood the sink
Sit down in the kitchen and cry

Now I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I want to shout
How I see it all

Now the universe left me for a runners lap
It feels like home when it comes crashing back
And it makes me laugh and it makes me cry
When London falls and I’m still alive
The radio stutters, it makes me laugh
And the aftermath opens up my eyes
I’m so alive

Now I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I want to shout
How I see it all
Now I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
How I’ve worked it out
And I see it all

Yeah…

“Now I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I’ve worked it out
And I see it all
And I want to shout
How I see it all”