Against All Odds

Last month I was reminded

that I needed to find you again

 

You first came into my life

on a chilly March night back in ’96

 

I was fourteen years old

 

You found your way into my boombox

and I kept you there awhile

 

I haven’t listened to you much since then

 

I was also fourteen when I read The Prince

I was fifteen when I read The Art of War

 

I haven’t read any other Machiavelli since then

 

Now I play you over and over

because you’re that good

 

As if I’ve discovered something anew

like when I first heard Kind of Blue

 

I still feel the tears falling down my face

 

Or maybe it’s because I’m supposed to feel

fear and love at the same time

 

While listening to a man

named after a Peruvian revolutionary

 

Whatever the case I’m grateful to you

for being the means to justify my ends

 

I believe he’d be pleased with you

as I am and as you should be

 

Because the music is balanced

raw and beautiful

 

The mix is perfect

hardcore and sweet

 

And you are rough

but tremendously lyrical