Featured in 2015 Spring Issue of Rambunctious
Unsettled Melissa Gao, '17 Red velvet seats all empty, except for mine All the red seats are empty, except for mine Ain't no fairytales playing on the movie screen, just bits of reality, in my mind. Past closing hours, gotta lock up the movie theater Past closing hours, gonna lock up the theater But the memories pull me back to the current character. Thoughts crash, lash, smash, bash, clash in my brain So many thoughts crashin', lashin', smashin', bashin', crashin' in my brain My endless thoughts, I can't restrain. Will or Strength— a battle for control Will or Strength—a battle for control Raging within my tired soul. The beat of war drums sound, 'round my head Beating of war drums sound, 'round my head A nightmare of no dreaming in my bed. Can't stop the storm of feelings, colors, drama I can't stop this storm of feelings, colors and drama Don't want the insomnia. Shots going off outside the theater door Shots are going off outside this theater door Heat is escalating within this war. Strength forces sheep soldiers, to silently slink into the theater Strength forces soldier sheep to silently slink, into the theater Behind my eyelids, only numbers linger. Roll the credits, movie's over Roll the credits, the movie is over Don't want this war—strength is the victor. The movie theater, locked up by the sheep regime The movie theater is locked by the sheep regime Lead me into the land of dreams. closed doors, no war, turned off the lights closed doors, no war, turned off the lights smile on my sleeping face—a final goodnight.