One of a series of ‘songs for the City’ written for the New York Times Magazine:

‘Laurie Sadly Listening’ by Lou Reed

Laurie if you're sadly listening

The birds are on fire The sky glistening
While I atop my roof stand watching
Staring into the spider's clypeus
Incinerated flesh repelling
While I am on the rooftop yearning
Thinking of you

Laurie if you're sadly listening
Selfishly I miss your missing
The boundaties of our world now changing
The air is filled with someone's sick reasons
And I had thought a beautiful season was
Upon us

Laurie if you're sadly listening
The phones don't work
The bird's afire
The smoke curls black
I'm on the rooftop
Liberty to my right still standing
Laurie evil's gaunt desire is
Upon we

Laurie if you're sadly listening
Know one thing above all others
You were all I really thought of
As the TV blared the screaming
The deathlike snowflakes
Sirens screaming
All I wished was you to be holding
Bodies frozen in time jumping
Bird's afire
One thing me thinking
Laurie if you're sadly listening
Love you
Laurie if you're sadly listening
Love you