May 2004

bio

art by donald langosy

Michael Zeltser was born in the former USSR, and moved to Los Angeles in 1993. He is currently a senior at UCLA (electrical engineering) and was recently featured at the Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica.

American Nirvana

Wake up in the morning, water the plants,
Grab some coffee and a cigarette – the breakfast of champs,
Turn on the TV, watch some CNN,
Feed the dog, get dressed, and begin the descent
    Into the American Nirvana.

Listen to some KROQ on the way to work,
Flip the man who cut me off – let him know he’s a jerk,
Spend eight useless hours playing solitaire,
Go home, grab a beer, pack a bowl, and stare
    Into the American Nirvana.

I don’t give a damn about the rest of the world –
I don’t ever get hungry, my feet never get cold.
I’m sitting on the couch with a needle in my arm,
Observing my own bellybutton ‘till I go numb -
    I live the American Nirvana.

I play a mean guitar, I sing out of tune,
My girlfriend’s got AIDS, and she’s gonna die soon.
I know I should get tested, but I’m just too fucking scared,
So I’ll just sit here and pretend that the problem isn’t there -
    I live the American Nirvana.

I don’t really care how many lives I have to cross.
Half of my brain is missing but I never feel a loss –
I can convince myself I’m right, I’ve always got a good excuse
To fight for my inalienable right to be amused -
    I live the American Nirvana.
    I love the American Nirvana.
    I’ll fight for the American Nirvana.
    I’ll die for the American Nirvana.

copyright 2003 Michael Zeltser