[Reborn_in_Sin_Diego]

So okay. I may have been a bit hasty.

I know some folks got pissed at my column commenting that Trent's recent song selection was leaving a bit to be desired, and over at Echoing the Sound and even our own comments section here some people were getting downright pissed. But I'm just now recovering from having seen nine inch nails at SOMA this past Monday and Tuesday, and I can admit it: I was wrong.

Of course, my joy at the shows may have something to do with the fact that on Monday, Trent jumped on our heads during "closer". And I was able to touch Him, in all His glory. And I was able to sing into the microphone ("You get me closer to God" and "Wearing these chains, motherfuckers!!" Let's hope they hadn't shut the mike off at that point! Would be awesome to hear that on a bootleg!) And then I was able to disconnect the microphone and stick it in my pants.

Yes, that's right. Monday night, I got Trent Reznor's microphone. And not just one he threw in the crowd. The "closer" crowd surfing microphone.

This is in addition to a setlist that covered the spectrum of his genius, from a heart-breaking "Something I Can Never Have" to perhaps the most-powerful-yet version of "The Line Begins To Blur" I've had the pleasure of hearing, booted or otherwise. It was fucking glorious, and he was a man afire. Electric. Dominant. Absolutely in control and wielding his power and fury with abandon.

I really can't come up with words to describe the impact these two shows had upon me... as such, I've decided instead to express my feelings in the medium that has always suited me best: my poetry.

your glittering gift of glistening amplitude
reflecting on 5_30_05

Shure Beta 58A
this is the power that you wield
within your hand
within your fist
(power's kiss, most seductive kiss)
it takes your fury
your anger, your heart
and makes you loud
(it makes you strong)

no, this can never be too long

the line has stretched eternal
though foe and friend
have all aligned as one
for your glory
chairs folding like our morals
and though I may be sweating
inside my vinyl cage of purity
i'll kiss the side of heaven for a taste of your
sanctity

stand above
looking down
we're slickened with sound
all your little piggies
overcome by our teeming, swaying adulation
you DIVE RIGHT IN
(right into the center of the storm)

fetal, you are lifted
up above, reborn
rebirth and the cycle
itself begins to blur
i touch your flesh
(this tiny touch of perfection)
and there is the chalice
the sceptre of your powers

i reach out and utter
my meager demonstration
("you get me closer to God?"
you are the one that's closer now)
and I scream out the name
my darkstar moniker
of
BULLSHIT
FUCKED UP
LOSE IT ALL
FIST FUCK
and then a simple push
twist and release
and the chalice comes free
down into the sea
of the love and the joy that has brought it all down upon you
oh Holy One

So I hide this treasure away
into my secret place
of lovely joys
my vinyl cage where madness lies
and spirit it away

and now i cast my gaze
a leper man healed
i once was blind, my father

But Now I See