Pills

In the spring of 2003, I answered an ad to rent a room in a house with a group of women. I remember the interview with each of the roommates, with my kitties in tow to determine if there was a fit. To this day, I still believe the only reason I got the room was because of my cats. My year in the Mint house was life-changing: not only did I meet Grey, but my time living with musicians, dancers and women who were artistically focused gave me a new outlook on life. It was during my year living in the Mint house that I met Jen Wood.

I'm not going to talk about Jen as a person. Her story is her own and I feel that people need to met her, spend time with her in order to learn what an amazing individual she is. What I will talk about, though, is her music. From those first chords, it's always touched a special place in my heart. Though described by some as melancholy and bare, her music does cause people to pause and contemplate. I witnessed first hand as the room has gone quiet when she plays, the audience swaying to and fore to her haunting melodies. During my year in the Mint house, my room was located directly above her's. Being a musician, it wasn't uncommon to hear her practicing and working through new pieces in the middle of the night. I can't tell you how much I miss hearing her music fill my room and the living room, singing me to sleep. Some of my most vivid dreams have been to some of her songs and I suspect her music had a similar effect on my furbabies. Even today, when I play some of her songs, I see a peace come across Jaxson's face, as he use to sneak down to her room as a kitten, simply to be in her space.

A couple of years ago, on a day trip together, Jen brought her recent demo for an album she and the Trio had been working on. Many of the songs were in their raw format, but were beautiful none the less. The one that stuck with me, though, was "Pills." The intro rang true and always makes me laugh. But the lyrics from the rest of the song, though beautiful, were not completely clear to me. Because at that moment, I was happy in life. And I couldn't understand being in a place where one would be so lost. Until now.

Yesterday, I was able to locate the video for "Pills." Reading the lyrics again made me realize how timely this song is, particularly the promise of "You won't be there forever."

Pills by Jen Wood


Today I threw away my pills

against my family doctor's will.
They said they would make me smile
but instead I feel nothing,
nothing at all.

I see that look on your face
wondering if I'm okay.
Mother need not to fear.
I promise to stay near.

You won't be there forever. 
You won't be there forever
You won't be there forever

I can learn to trust.
I can learn to scream.
I can learn to say yes
if that's what you need from me.

You can learn to trust.
You can learn to scream.
I can learn to say yes
if that's what you need from me.

You won't be there forever.
You won't be there forever
You won't be there forever
You won't be there forever