Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise
El-P Lyrics

This is the sound of what you don't know killing you
The painful effects of ignorance can become fatal.

This is the sound of what you don't need still true
Things unnecessary to one's life can still hold great value.

This is the sound of what you don't want still in you
Unwanted truths and experiences can stick with a person.

Never again
A declaration that something will never happen again.

When a live wire lights little metal rail right
The magic of electricity and technology working smoothly.

When a marvel of engineering steered me clear in to the plight
The amazing ways in which modern innovations can help us overcome challenges.

Right before the bodegas open, after the peak of night
A specific moment in time, early in the morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.

Before the paper's delivered, I sat on the corner and sparked a light
A simple moment of peace and reflection before the day starts.

The same corner I perched when I zone dropped on the block first
A place of familiarity and nostalgia.

At almost 5 O'clock watching for sun spots or store clerks
Anticipation and observation of small details in the environment.

Alone spot, almost kinda like the zone was forgot
A place that feels forgotten or abandoned.

As if the grid had been reset and couldn't catch to the clock
Time feels distorted and slow.

Or the stoop was stuck in the past a half minute
A sense of being trapped in time and unable to move forward.

And I sat in it
Reflecting on one's surroundings.

With a loosie Newpy drift out of my lips, taste, half minted
A casual smoking habit contributing to the atmosphere.

Come on
An exhortation to take action.

And I felt like a hundred bucks in the pocket of a gambling lush
A feeling of being rich or fortunate.

At a Wondershowzen flow with the droids of destructo luck
Being in flow and in the moment despite negative circumstances.

Fugitoid on the run again, the sky gleamed, the maroonest coloring
A sense of urgency and danger, with nature having a foreboding color.

Layered against the bluest tone from where the thunder lived
The ever-present sounds and colors of nature.

Here I was directly under it like some dejected little gray
Feeling small and insignificant compared to the forces of nature.

And they told to stay and wait for the mothership
A sense of being part of something larger than oneself.

A cotton ball in a blizzard of mischief or brain prison
Feeling lost or confused in a chaotic environment.

With a thought that rode on the bus and came for conjugal visits
An unwelcome thought that keeps returning to one's mind.

And fucked it's way into my gray matter, the tattered territory
Unwanted thoughts and memories inflicting emotional pain.

Stayed chattering and nagging till it demanded it yell it for me
An intrusive thought that becomes an obsession.

And I tried to hold the thing back, but the meditation was otherly
Attempting to control one's thoughts or emotions but feeling overwhelmed.

Fixated on what a friend said and relating it to my struggling
A particular comment that resonated with one's inner struggle.

Metropoloid void so damn smothering
The sense of feeling lost or isolated in a large, oppressive city.

But we were children of Poisenville
Acknowledging that despite the tough environment, there is a sense of community.

And saw the seduction less repugnant
Seeing the darker aspects of the world without becoming completely disillusioned.

And reserved the right as the triggerman
Choosing to take control of one's life.

With the back up plan of self destruction
Being ready to face the consequences of one's actions.

And I touched the type of chemicals that could pull me towards that function
The lure of addictive substances or behaviors.

It's the stuff I find hard for discussion
Feeling ashamed to talk about these sensitive issues.

How the fuck do you explain your own self destruction
The struggle to understand one's own self-destructive tendencies.

And still remain trusted?
The fear of losing the trust and respect of others.

To answer the question, yes, the city wants you gone
The harsh reality that life in the city can be harsh and unforgiving.

And that's the only thing connecting us
Realizing that shared struggle is what brings people together.

But the connection is so strong
Despite the struggles, the bond between people can be unbreakable.

So how dare you assume that I'll sleep when you're dead
Resisting someone else's plan or expectation.

This is well outside the boundaries of acceptable behavior
Challenging something that is not acceptable or appropriate.

I will not give you the go ahead
Taking control of one's own decisions.

And you will not be remembered fondly
A warning that one's actions may have negative long-term effects.

I'm throwing down the gauntlet
Issuing a challenge or ultimatum.

Fuck you, this isn't your decision
Pushing back against someone else's attempt to control the situation.

And for all the holy fuck I give
Expressing frustration and disbelief.

Your little spectacle is ended
Ignoring someone else's attention-seeking behavior.

But don't think for just one second
Not underestimating the seriousness of the situation.

You've honored your obligations to me
Not letting someone off the hook for their responsibilities.

I'm serious, look in my eyes
Asserting one's sincerity and commitment.

I don't find this funny or whatever you imagine poetry
Rejecting the idea that a situation is artistic or poetic.

And justice feels like when you combine them
The connection between justice and personal struggles.

I am not going to allow this on my watch buddy
Taking responsibility for the situation and refusing to let something harmful happen.

Nobodies impressed with your imagined sacrifice
Challenging the validity of someone else's claims or actions.

Device or insurmountable regret
The difficult emotions and challenges that can accompany addiction.

You are not uniquely pained
Acknowledging that others share similar struggles.

And if you go we won't be sorry
The harsh reality that sometimes people's actions have serious consequences.

And who the hell are you to put me through the banality of watching this
Rejecting someone else's attempt to make us feel burdened or bored.

'Cause many better men have gone for clearly better reasons
Acknowledging the sacrifices and struggles of others.

And I starkly must remind you that you have not even been trying
Challenging someone else's level of commitment and effort.

And that's the only thing remarkable about you
Noticing someone's shortcomings and calling them out.

Stop me if I'm lying
Issuing a challenge to someone to disagree with what you're saying.

We are always outnumbered but we were never out militia'd
Feeling outnumbered but never giving up the fight.

There's no dignity for criminals, no ministry for the wicked
The harsh reality of the world that is unforgiving to those who break the rules.

In this town if you make a sound you're the leper with the most fingers
Feeling like an outsider or an outcast in an environment that is hostile.

The league of extraordinary nobodies
Finding a sense of connection and belonging despite being outsiders.

The other teams bringing in ringers
Feeling like others have an unfair advantage.

No faith in the majority, no hope for the little ones
Feeling discouraged and pessimistic about the state of affairs.

Sally pulled a pistol out, Billy got a blunderbuss
Living in an environment where people are armed and dangerous.

So what the fuck are you feeling that makes your struggle so wondrous?
Challenging someone else's feelings of self-importance.

Enough to arrogantly pull what's left of the rug out from under us?
Taking drastic and harmful actions without considering the consequences.

I think not, you're in the same barrel, all us other crabs are caught
Realizing that everyone is struggling and that no one is exempt from the difficulties of life.

And if I have to live, you have to live, whether you like this shit or not
Acknowledging that people must face the difficulties of life, regardless of their preferences.

Dedicated to the drowning, and the noble futility of the desperate friends forced to watch
Honoring those who are struggling and facing difficult situations.

And to my good friends who refused to allow it to happen to me
Expressing gratitude to friends who have supported and helped during difficult times.

You know who you are
Addressing specific people who have been supportive.

Believe me, man, I promise, never, never, never, gonna get that way again
Making a commitment to avoid returning to difficult situations or struggles.