good writing

I am constantly amazed by Ben Gibbard and his use of words. I know that for myself, when I listen to deathcab, I often miss the lyrics, and how intricately they are woven. Although I don't share all of Ben's thoughts on the state of the world, and the purpose of life, I appreciate his abilities so much, and have learned a lot simply from reading the words he writes. Here is a song he wrote that, in my opinion, speaks with painful clarity concerning death and the experience of losing someone you love. Coupled with the hope of eternal life is the bleak reality of physical death and loss. I think this song describes the latter in a meaningful and truthful way. Here it is:

"What Sarah Said" by Ben Gibbard

And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to father time
As I stared at my shoes in the ICU that reeked of piss and 409
And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself that I'd already taken too much today
As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me
Away from me

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines in a place where we only say goodbye
It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend
on a faulty camera in our minds
But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all
And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground as the TV entertained itself

'Cause there's no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes round and everyone will lift their heads
But I'm thinking of what Sarah said that "Love is watching someone die"

So who's going to watch you die?..