Water
Aesop Rock Lyrics

Found nothing but the feathers and the skull
There are only remnants of life left after death

On the porch like a present with a bow
Death is a gift, presented uniquely in different forms

Denizen of black earth, gutted and uncoupled from the patchwork
The dead become a part of the earth, disconnected from life's intricacies

Buried by a seven year cherub in the backyard
Even children come to understand the permanency and inevitability of death

Epitaph and all
Death is a reminder of our own mortality

Disciple of the cycles and sciences, of birth into fertilized hyacinth
Death is a natural part of the ecosystem and cycle of life

Life into vitamins, invited up to cypresses
Death contributes to the vitality of new growth and can be seen as a positive transformation

A testament to moxie and the miracle of lifelessness
Death reveals the resilience and fortitude of living organisms, and the beauty of stillness

It's tricky when you'd rather rot into the soil as a nutrient
The desire to return to the earth after death can conflict with the fear of leaving life

Than navigate this mortal coil in human skin, dig?
Living is an arduous task and one wonders if it is worth it

The nuances of putrefying jelly hit the levee
The details of decay can be overwhelming and profound

When those feathers are a cancer in your bestie
Death can be painful for those who witness it, especially if it happens to a loved one

And I pick a ginger gold as fed by a drunken uncle
Life continues even in the face of death

One from a customer pumping that Sumner blood work
Life and death are intertwined, with life often serving as a reminder of the inevitability of death

Memitim ascending, settling any high scores
Even in death, one can still aim for greatness or set goals

Forty meters up with the heart of a high dive horse
Death can be a daring adventure, much like diving from a great height

Paint no rules on the water tower
Life, like art, has no limits or boundaries

Paint no rules on the water tower
Freedom, creativity, and expression are necessary for a fulfilling life

Paint no rules on the water tower
Society should not impose limitations on individuals or hinder their ability to express themselves

Paint no rules on the water tower
We should embrace life with open-mindedness and without fear of judgement

(Impossible, impossible)
These ideals may seem impossible to achieve, but they are still worth striving for

(Hold the fuck up
Pause and reflect

Who is you talking to?
Consider your audience and the effect of your words

'Cause ain't nobody talking to you
Respect boundaries and individual autonomy

You can't do a motherfucking thing)
Avoid trying to control others or interfere in their lives

I told my ex in ninety- seven I was falling on my weapon
Life is often overwhelming and can lead to feelings of despair

Ripped the phone up out the wall
In times of crisis, communication may break down

The po' would drag me from my bedroom
Mental health struggles may lead to involuntary hospitalization or treatment

An embarrassing ordeal involving hospitals and questions
Mental health stigmatization can further exacerbate an already-difficult situation

And the kind of doctors who use words like cognitive and spectrum
The medical community has its own jargon that can feel alienating to patients

While explaining why you're selfish to romanticize a ruse
In the midst of mental distress, one's thoughts and behaviors may seem illogical or misguided to those around them

In which unruly roots pull you to Lucifer by your shoes
Mental illness can feel like a battle between the self and the world, taking on existential and spiritual meanings

I mean, it isn't perfect but don't misconstrue the purpose
Mental illness is not a weakness or character flaw, but a complex and multifaceted phenomenon

Any urge is indiscernible from community service to the kiddo
Recovery is a personal journey and can look different for each individual

Plus she'd make a beautiful widow
Thoughts of suicide can be both morbid but also shape one's rationalization of life and death

But that's an altruistic ticket to a room with no windows
The promise of escape through suicide is ultimately fruitless

Hmm you'd think he would've learned back in the eighties
One may expect to learn from past experiences, but this does not guarantee wisdom or insight

When they pulled him out of class over concerns about his safety
Mental illness often remains a topic of concern and mistrust, especially for those in education

But he didn't, it wasn't cause he doesn't get the message
Experiencing mental illness can severely impact one's ability to objectively view themselves and the world around them

More he doesn't judge a man by how honorable his death is
One's life should not be judged by what they achieved or failed to achieve in the face of mental illness or adversity

On a scale you made up anyway
Societal expectations and value systems may not always align with individual needs and abilities

Half past out to pasture
There is a sense of apathy and resignation to fate and mortality

Whether clapped or batteries in backwards
Death does not discriminate based on external or superficial factors

(Check this shit out here
Challenge yourself and pay close attention

Don't be trying to come all for me
Avoid acting with hostility or aggression

'Cause you is not all of that with your fucked up haircut)
Superficial appearances are not indicative of one's value or worth

I had a pet lizard, he never got an obit
Even the deaths of seemingly insignificant beings can make us question the nature of death itself

Fed him crickets, it was dead a fucking month before I noticed
Death can be unexpected and may go unnoticed

An older me would note that whether disposable goldfish
As we gain more experience, we come to better understand the nature and meaning of life and death

Or theist, we certainly become the earth as equals, in a circle
Death is the great equalizer, bringing all living beings back into the earth

Unique until the spirit isn't willing
Each life is unique and valuable, until death takes hold

While the flesh is still a staple of the labor force and whistling
While alive, we must work and contribute to society

It's roadkill evoking emotion his own totem don't
Even death can bring forth unexpected emotions and reactions

That's a reality you evade or grow to own
Facing the reality of death can be challenging, but it is necessary for personal growth and understanding

Social code broke and a hierarchy to gasp at
Death can disrupt social norms and power structures

Black labs over wack dads on the admat
Society often values material success over familial and personal connections

Tabby over parasite, bats at the parish
Societal preferences and biases can be arbitrary and superficial

A civil war becoming of ungovernable atoms
Societal tensions and divides can reflect fundamental differences in worldviews and values

I'm born from the guts of stars and black tar pits
Life is a wonderous and miraculous event, but still grounded in the earth

Iron Maiden denim paint the devil under grawlix
Life is full of contradictions, from the beauty of new life to the depravity of death

Crawls out a clawed coffin to huff and puff
Even death has a sense of drama and presence

Somewhere in between the dust and dust
Life and death are intermingled, ultimately leading to the same end