~ kusala
[ ku-sa-la: Pali term meaning wholesome, skillful, good, meritorious. ]
[ Action characterized by this quality (kusala-kamma) is bound to result (eventually) in happiness and a favorable outcome. ]
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kusala.diaryland.com

2006-02-15 - 11:10 a.m.

This Quick Opiate Might Wear the Wings of Angels

A belated Valentine's Day thought. The following are the lyrics to what has always been one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums/CDs of all time: "Cupid's Got a Brand New Gun" from March by Michael Penn. I must confess this is one of the titles I never added to my CD collection, though I probably played the cassette thousands of times during the two years or more after I first bought it, which must have been in 1989, the year it was released. [I just rectified this situation this morning by buying it on eBay...]

Something about Penn's voice has always been able to put me easily on the verge of crying, especially during plaintive lines like the last bar of the following: "...wounded, wounded unto death... by something called love..." If you have never heard this song, may I recommend downloading?


Cupid's Got a Brand New Gun

It's hiding in the corner
of every sacred place
before the ambush you won't want to
recognize its face
It slithers like a viper
readies its attack
tears your flesh and soul apart
then clings on to your back
But not till it turns away
can you feel the pain of all the damage done
and you may notice that
this quick opiate
might wear the wings of angels
that's when you realize
you've been shot down
wounded unto death by something called love

It followed you to hell, Ange
a double agent who
will listen your every lie
but never tell on you
(just whisper to you true)
It promises you silk things
but burns the clothes you wear
gives you leave in heaven
and you scream that it's unfair
to force you to compare
But not till it turns away
can you feel the pain of all the damage done
and you may notice that
this quick opiate
might wear the wings of angels
that's when you realize
you've been shot down
wounded unto death by something called love...


~Michael Penn, �1989


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