These Ruins

I am usually, on some level, lathered up about the Apocalypse and how it's On Its Way. It used to be a vague worry that I would only break out for special occasions, but these days it's one of my staple sources of anxiety. If you're familiar at all with my work, you'll have realized that my many fears are frequent jumping-off points for songs, even in my happiest tunes. Well, this song is no exception.

Over the years, I have developed coping mechanisms to help me live a #blessed life and not just sit in a wet heap, blubbering about the polar bears (may they rest in peace). I don't watch the news, I draw lots of cats eating cake, and I watch a hell of a lot of escapist television. But despite all my attempts to avoid thinking about it or discussing it, sometimes I get sucked in to conversations about the end of the world. 

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A few years ago, not sure how many, I was having a conversation with my family about societal collapse. I think we had all been reading books on the subject, like "Collapse" by Jared Diamond, and "A Short History of Progress" by Richard Wright. I recommend them both, if you are interested in being very, very upset all the time forever. If you are interested in being happy and laughing, then you should probably read "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" instead. ANYWAY. During our chat about these books, my Poet Sister said something to the effect of "our generation is already living in the aftermath of Western Civilization - we're already living in the ruins."  I can't remember much else, but I remember the words she chose and how they resonated with me. Those ideas and conversations eventually grew into the lyrics for this song. And as usual, my work is just jammed with metaphors, eat them up!

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Ed. note, 2022: As I'm reassembling these blurbs for my new website, I am struck by how many songs on Love Lives Here make reference to my garbage-y living space. Maybe one day I'll make enough money to fix the stupid plumbing around here. On the other hand, if I do, I will probably just keep spending it on frog stickers... #priorities.