1
I
I don’t know this band, they have a weird sound. I’m sitting quietly in the backseat. There’s a look in my parents’ eyes when they know all the words.
II
I hate this band but my dad wants me to like them and he says I’m probably not old enough to appreciate it yet.
III
Mom says the band’s music was old when they were young but that seems impossible. Old people liking old-old-people music?
IV
The lead singer died the year my dad was born. Before that he got arrested in New Haven. It’s weird how someone who died 45 years ago seems so tangible when they existed an hour away from your house.
V
Some songs aren’t bad, there’s one that sounds like a waltz and one that’s really bluesy and one that mentions New Haven. My mom bought two records at Tumbleweeds.
VI
I know the words to some of their songs. I’ve been reading the lead singer’s poetry. He was on a lot of drugs. I’m buying my mom a copy for Christmas(planning to steal it).
VII
I’m singing along in the backseat.
2
I don’t know the words but my parents do. My dad says I’ll like it eventually. The music is old, like old when my parents were young old. The lead singer died the year my dad was born. He got arrested an hour away from my house. It makes sense, he was on a lot of drugs. His poetry reflects it too. Some of the songs aren’t bad. My mom bought two records. I’m buying her a collection of the lead singer’s poetry for Christmas. My parents still know the words, I do now too.
3
The lead singer got arrested an hour away. I read his drug-induced poetry. The band’s music was old when my parents were young. I sing along in the backseat.
4
Jim Morrison teaches through car speakers.