Juliana Hatfield

You Are the Camera

Juliana Hatfield


Wake up naked
Stretch like a panther
Throw off the covers
Run to the mirror, my lover
Admire this face
It could help to save the world
This body must be seen to be believed
My back and torso like a man ray photo
This is a scene
We are improvising me.

You are the camera
You try to seduce me
You are the camera
You love me
I make love to you
You are the camera.

I practice different smiles
I rehearse different lines
Like the perfect comeback or an eloquent speech
Let's take a walk on the street on the stage
Don't say anything
Just follow me
Don't leave
Save me for posterity
What do I want to be seen buying?
I write in my diary
Only what I want you to read. 

You are the camera
A reason for living
You are the camera
I need you to need me
( I need you to justify my life )
You are the camera.

We sit down on the couch
On the left or on the right?
What is my good side?
Come in for a close-up
Fresh breath, perfect makeup
Are we gonna kiss on the mouth like I read about?
I look right at you and see myself and I'm in love. 

You are the camera
A reason for living
You are the camera
In the presence of greatness
You are the camera
I disappear what you're not here
You are the camera.