he says your name out loud, in miniature rooms where no one's found; it's a desperate sound. you're on the distant shore! and he wants to tell you stories, stories of boys who stomped their feet, saying, "shut, shut up—I am dreaming of places where lovers have wings."

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“I think the kids are in trouble—do not know what all the troubles are for. give them ice for their fevers. you’re the only thing I ever want anymore. live on coffee and flowers. try not to worry what the weather will be. I figured out what we’re missing. I tell you miserable things after you are asleep.

now we’ll leave the silver city, ‘cause all the silver girls gave us black dreams. leave the silver city ‘cause all the silver girls—everything means everything.

it’s a Hollywood summer. you’ll never believe the shitty thoughts I think. meet our friends out for dinner. when I said what I said, I didn’t mean anything. we belong in a movie. try to hold it together till our friends are gone. we should swim in a fountain. do not want to disappoint anyone. I was afraid I’d eat your brains. ‘cause I’m evil. ‘cause I’m evil.

I’m a confident liar. have my head in the oven so you know where I’ll be. I’ll try to be more romantic—I want to believe in everything you believe. I was less than amazing. do not know what all the troubles are for. fall asleep in your branches. you’re the only thing I ever want anymore.”

THE NATIONAL - Conversation 16


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