When there's nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire

Your Ex-Lover is Dead
Stars

When there's nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire

God that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said "Yes, I think we've met before"
In that instant it started to pour

Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
All of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
You tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me, you see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard, I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love

Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back

There's one thing I want to say so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

I'm not sorry there's nothing to save


This song is beautiful. It's tenuously related to some stuff in my life right now, especially the last verse, but more than anything I just think it is hauntingly beautiful. I came across this photo and the opening line, "When there's nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire," popped into my head. Not that I'm setting myself on fire lately, but I do feel a bit like I'm running around with my hair on fire. I've just been so busy. Stopping is not an option. It's like my life is on fire and I'm running with the flames licking at my heels just trying not to get burned. There's more I could say about this particular phrase, but I think I will save it for another post.

I took this picture for the school paper last semester. They were running an "art montage" so I spent an afternoon photographing all of the student artwork that was on display around campus. It was actually a pretty sweet assignment. I really liked this piece. It's just such a perfect representation of how I feel for most of each semester. I realize that none of this seems connected - student artwork, Stars, stress, photography - but, trust me, in my head the connections are very clear. All you need to do is look at the photo and then listen to the song.