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Outskirts

from Nightlight by Ben Erling

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about

We're living in a strange time when college educated people find themselves having to work more demeaning jobs, while less-than-college educated people find themselves struggling on the poverty line, all while no new people seem to be entering the upper or upper-middle class. However, those at the top continue to get richer- it's an equation hack that is leading to an unchecked remainder of people, left with no option but to work even harder to get ahead.

lyrics

high above reality
glimmering with audacity
structures stand proud and tall
satellite broadcasts it all
functional metropolis
but not for all of us
towers above the ground
are not the heart of this town

when did her eyes get that dark
as she looks at her track mark
she’s out on the porch all night
embers are her only light
looking in her stolen future
cigarette’s her only suture
she was once a little girl
now stuck here in the underworld

celebrities and shopping malls
will pass the time, keep your thinking small
simple minds in complex times
disenfranchised from all the lies
we're everywhere, fell off the grid
had bright futures when we were kids
took a wrong turn, fell through the cracks
remainders of an equation hack

3am the world’s asleep
but some of us are earning their keep
unloading palettes, stocking shelves
freezing out but it feels like hell
it's not ideal, but it could be worse
better than waiting for the first
pick up the pace and soldier on
at break time he'll stand with folded arms

the only hope is to do for yourself
the things to which no one else can help
it's easy to give up and to blame
but only so long can you play that game
walking slumped with your head down
in the end we all live in that town
failure’s ok so long as you’re trying
they only sell apathy if you’re buying

credits

from Nightlight, released January 15, 2013

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about

Ben Erling Fairfield, Connecticut

Unimpressive musician. above average Street Fighter gamer. connoisseur of candles. If you have a passion for mediocre music, you've come to the right place. Artists that I've drawn the largest influence from include Blink182, Ben Folds Five, New Found Glory, NOfX, and AFI. I often write about the darker parts of our nature, but also the bright moments that define us. ... more

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