Smashing Pumpkins' "Snail"

Saying goodbye to a friend

JR, JR,

Back in 1992

You and me driving in your red Honda hatchback

Blasting Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish.

You and me wide-eyed at their guitar solos

Playing those crazy drums in the air

Singing the lyrics to “Snail” at the tops of our nicotine lungs

Not knowing they were singing about us.

Flower, seize the hour, the day, away

Waiting, waiting for your way, away

When you wake up your own way

Throwing your whole life away

So young—unfurled.

We drove your hatchback all over town, the cabin filled with screeching guitars and smoke

Before that, we drove your blue Mustang convertible

Back and forth to Tucson, searching for records

Back and forth to Tucson, searching for ourselves

You and me and music, always, together.

Flower, the pain will wash away, away

When the sun shines

And climbs through your window

All those laughing parties

Ended with us sleeping on Chris’ floor.

All those groggy mornings

Turned to days jamming in your car.

What were the seven dreams Billy Corgan sang about?

Were they really closer than we believed?

“As your things come undone,” we sang 

“See you are the only one.”

Us flowers, trying to seize the hours

Us flowers, chasing sunshine

Only one of us would ever live long enough to learn.

Softly siren coming home

Siren, snail

Down in my heart

Flower, it’s what you wait for

Hey flower:

Away.