A Bridge of Starlings

from A Bridge of Starlings by Ben Osborn

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lyrics

I took a train downtown
broken among the broke
smelling of last-night-smoke
one among grains of sand
in an upturned hourglass
I watched them roll past
and I checked my reflection
like a classroom skeleton
assembling itself
I count all my bones out
draw lines across the fractures
map negative space
the place where borders cross borders

but when I am an architect I will build a bridge for you
that crosses empty space but stops midway
a place to watch the small birds play
so c'mon

I took a train downtown
I thought I was a cave
somewhere you were chained
and they drip poison down
onto your body now
it evaporates into clouds
low green and dangerous
seen in the distance
noticed by strangers
mistaken for forests

but when I am an architect I will build a bridge in time
that spins, describing circles on the plains
a place to watch the small birds play
so c'mon

I took a train downtown
and outside the main station
I saw a small murmuration
living on pastry crumbs
nesting in coffee cups
I think they’re just like us
I think love is a bridge
a bridge made of starlings
it can’t carry anything
on its trembling wings

but when I am an architect I will build a complex bridge
a double helix, a whirlwind
a murmuration of static starlings
a place to watch the small birds play

and we’ll watch the small birds play
and I’ll say
‘for you, this was made…
…darling, for you, this was made...’

so c'mon.

credits

from A Bridge of Starlings, released February 8, 2019
Words and music by Ben Osborn. Produced and mixed by Alex Stolze. Mastered by Lupo Lubich.

Ben Osborn - vocals, piano, synthesisers
Alex Stolze - vocals, beats
Michael Bleach - field recordings, beats
Bethany Roberts - field recordings, vocals

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Ben Osborn Berlin, Germany

“studies” EP out 20th of May

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